terry

384 6.0

A strong cotton fabric with many small loops that soaks up water and is used for towels and robes

noun
/ˈtɛri/

: rizo

Vivian, wearing a monogrammed hotel terry robe, is standing uncertainly in the bedroom doorway.

Examples

"Lando disappeared for a moment and reappeared holding a long white terry cloth robe.

Fiction book (1991)
You got a terry cloth?

Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
Tilly was holding up a big terry cloth robe for me.

Fiction book (1991)
Siggy stands in a black terry robe and flip flops. Marvin.

Fiction book (1991)
I bought a soft terry towel for my shower.
The bathrobe is made of thick terry fabric that feels warm and cozy.
After the swim, she wrapped herself in a plush terry wrap.

Synonyms

terry cloth

vsterry

5 2.1

A thick cotton fabric with many small loops that soaks up water

is more about fabric strength and material choice rather than loop size alone

terrycloth

vsterry

3 3.9

A thick, absorbent cotton fabric used for towels and bathrobes

is broader, includes linen and highlights fabric strength rather than just thickness

toweling

vsterry

1 2.5

Soft cotton or linen cloth with small loops that soaks up water

is stricter, naming stronger cloth with uncut loops on both sides

Compounds

terry cloth

5 2.1

A thick cotton fabric with many small loops that soaks up water

terry robe

1 2.8

A robe made from soft towel material to wear after bathing or swimming

terry blanket

3.1

A soft blanket that soaks up water and feels like a towel

terry towel

1.6

A towel made of thick cloth with many small loops that soaks up water

How Absorbent

microfiber

4 3.7

terry

384 6.0

cotton

115 1.0

linen

111 1.0

silk

237 1.0

Surface Forms

terry singular

terries plural

Etymology

Terry comes from an old French word tirer meaning 'to pull', which is a helpful image to remember the fabric. Terry cloth is made with many small loops that were 'pulled' up in weaving, and those loops make towels soft and very good at soaking up water.