washcloth

[wosh-klawth, -kloth, wawsh-]

noun

plural

washcloths 

1. a small cloth for washing one's face or body.

washcloth

/ ˈwɒʃˌklɒθ /

noun

1. another name for dishcloth

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): face cloth.  flannel. a small piece of cloth used to wash the face and hands

Word History and Origins

Origin of washcloth¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; wash + cloth

Example Sentences

Even now she longed for a washcloth, a basin of hot water, and some strong soap, so she could give herself a proper scrubbing.

Read more on Literature

Folded inside, a washcloth taped over the mouth, was the body of Handsome Johnny.

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Less than a day after an exhausting six-and-a-half hour, 18-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers curled up in the corner with a cold washcloth while the Jays smothered them with it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He leaned on old ski poles with a blue washcloth safety-pinned to the back of his ball cap.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Because there’s so much virus in the blood, you don’t necessarily see blood on a towel or washcloth or toothbrush or razor or nail clipper,” he says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal