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burlap

burlap

23 6.1
A rough, strong cloth made from jute used for sacks and wrapping plants
  • noun
  • /ˈbɜrˌlæp/
  • US
translation icon : arpillera
  • The farmer filled the burlap sacks with freshly harvested potatoes.
  • burlap bags

Tree trunk legs, burlap bag tied around his waist, no shirt.

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Examples

  • So I have some burlap sacks here just picked up from a coffee shop near me.

  • Now, the burlap bags, Tommy will fill with soil from the planters.

  • Then we have these burlap strips.

  • Look at that burlap and then these little wood rounds.

  • The boy returned with a bucket of well water and an empty burlap sack.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Bryce sat on the sand and held the burlap bag open between his legs.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Money was scattered on the burlap bags, and Bryce was winning.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • I've got some big, empty burlap sacks back at the shed.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The Control has a thick and rough woven texture, like a burlap sack, but smoother.

  • She chose a burlap tablecloth for the rustic wedding decor.

Synonyms

gunny
vsburlap
  • US
10 9.1

A rough, heavy cloth made from plant fibers used for making sacks

is used for upholstery lining as well as for sacks
sackcloth
vsburlap
  • Archaic
5 9.9

A rough cloth worn to show sorrow or regret

is used for practical sacks and furniture lining rather than garments
bagging
vsburlap
  • Archaic
3 7.2

A rough cloth made from jute used to make sacks

is used for upholstery lining as well as for bags
sacking
vsburlap
  • Archaic
1 6.0

A rough heavy cloth used for making bags for potatoes

is used for upholstery lining in addition to making sacks
packcloth
vsburlap
  • Archaic
6.7

A strong rough cloth used for making bags or tents

is used for upholstery lining rather than for tents

Compounds

2 3.2

A bag made from rough cloth used to carry or store things

How Coarse

sackcloth
  • Archaic
5 9.9
burlap
  • US
23 6.1
canvas
63 3.0
cotton
115 1.0
silk
237 1.0

Surface Forms

burlap singular
burlaps plural

Etymology

Burlap comes from old words that meant a 'coarse cloth', a rough, strong fabric. A helpful way to remember it is to think of burl as something rough and lap as a 'piece of cloth', so burlap is a rough, strong cloth used for sacks and for wrapping tree roots.