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dishcloth

dishcloth

2 1.0
A cloth used to wash and dry dishes
  • noun
  • /ˈdɪʃklɔθ/
translation icon : trapo de cocina
  • Now he lay on his back, watching me scrub the table with a dishcloth.
  • sponges and dishcloths

Examples

  • Sponges and dishcloths remain wet in the kitchen environment, a condition that helps in the survival of potential pathogens.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Reminded now of her own walk on the wild side, my sister wrings the dishcloth dry, drapes it over the kitchen faucet, and laughs.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • - I want a dishcloth, please.

  • I rushed to the kitchen, wet a dishcloth, and returned to Jerry.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Later I found her in the kitchen, wiping the dishcloth in a slow circle around each plate.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Picking up a dishcloth and drying a fork is, for you, a big achievement.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • All that was left was the canteen wrapped in the yellow dishcloth.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • My daughter uses clean dishcloths to clean up things off the floor too, and that drives me nuts!

    Blog text (17)
  • "Luke Cameron!" Christine cried in outrage as she swung a dishcloth at him.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I dried the dishes with a green dishcloth, warm and damp.

Synonyms

cloth
vsdishcloth
215 1.0

A piece of material made by joining threads together and used for making clothes or for cleaning

is a specific absorbent item for washing dishes rather than general material
dishrag
vsdishcloth
  • US
3 1.1

A small cloth for washing plates and pans

is defined by absorbent material use rather than small size
cleaning cloth
vsdishcloth
1 1.0

A small piece of soft material used to wipe surfaces and remove dirt or oil

is focused on washing dishes rather than general grease removal
sponge cloth
vsdishcloth
3.2

A soft cloth that soaks up water for cleaning and drying surfaces

is aimed at washing dishes specifically rather than general surface cleaning
wiping cloth
vsdishcloth
2.1

A piece of cloth for cleaning grease, oil, or dirt in workshops

is used for washing dishes at home rather than industrial cleaning

How Absorbent

microfiber
  • US
4 3.7
to sponge
4 2.1
dishcloth
2 1.0
tea towel
  • UK
2 1.0

Surface Forms

dishcloth singular
dishcloths plural

Morphology

dishcloth = dish + cloth (transparent) = dish + cloth

The meaning is directly conveyed by the compound 'dish' + 'cloth' — a cloth used for washing dishes.

Etymology

Dishcloth comes from the two simple English words dish and cloth, which together mean a 'cloth for dishes'. So think of the small towel you use to wash or dry plates and pans. That is why a dishcloth is the cloth used for cleaning dishes.