velveteen

American  

[vel-vi-teen] / ˌvɛl vɪˈtin /

noun

1. a cotton pile fabric with short pile.

2. velveteens, trousers of this fabric.

---

adjective

1. made of velveteen.

   a velveteen jumper.

velveteen British  

/ ˌvɛlvɪˈtiːn /

noun

1. 1. a cotton fabric resembling velvet with a short thick pile, used for clothing, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      velveteen trousers

2. (plural) trousers made of velveteen

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• velveteened
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of velveteen

1770–80; velvet + -een, variant of -ine ¹

Explanation

Velveteen is as soft as velvet, but it's not quite as fancy. Your favorite childhood stuffed animal might be made out of velveteen. Velvet is a plush fabric made of silk, and velveteen is a similar fabric that's made of cotton instead. Velveteen is less expensive and not quite as luxurious as velvet. Curtains, pillows, and clothing can all be made from velveteen. The word velveteen was coined in the 1770s, an alteration of the word velvet, which comes from the Latin villutus, or "shaggy cloth."

Related Words

• velvety