velour
Americannoun
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a velvetlike fabric of rayon, wool, or any of several other natural or synthetic fibers, used for outerwear and upholstery.
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a velvety fur felt, as of beaver, for hats.
noun
Etymology
Origin of velour
1700–10; earlier velours < French, Middle French; Old French velous < Old Provençal velos velvet < Latin villōsus hairy. See villus, -ose 1
Explanation
Velour is a fabric that's as soft as velvet but much stretchier. Because it's somewhat inexpensive, you can afford those plush, pink velour pajamas! Velour is a more affordable, sturdier version of velvet. It's also a versatile fabric because it's knitted rather than woven, giving it some stretch. This material is used for clothing, toys, throw pillows, and other home furnishings. The word velour dates from the 18th century, from the French velours, "velvet," and a root meaning "shaggy." The fabric itself is also a French invention, although the exact details are lost to history.
Vocabulary lists containing velour
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As men's creative director for Louis Vuitton he probably got a discount on this pink velour suit too.
From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026
If you’ve been on the internet in the past few months, chances are you’ve scrolled past them: four 20-somethings, clad in Pepto-pink velour track suits and yellow sneakers, dancing and harmonizing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026
That includes velour galore, low-rise jeans, mini skirts and graphic T-shirts.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 20, 2023
She had to ask him “Who are you wearing?” while she was wearing a blue velour tracksuit from Forever 21 with a giant pink cupcake on the back.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2023
She had one of the heads in her lap, wrapping folds of pink velour around it and sticking pins here and there to hold the cloth in place.
From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
