futon

[ foo-ton, fyoo- ]

noun

1. a thin mattress, usually filled with layers of cotton batting and encased in cotton fabric, placed on a floor for sleeping, especially in traditional Japanese interiors, and folded and stored during the day.

futon

/ ˈfuːˌtɒn /

noun

1. a Japanese padded quilt, laid on the floor for use as a bed, or on a frame for use as a chair

Word History and Origins

Origin of futon¹

1875–80; < Japanese < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese pútuán rush-mat seat

Word History and Origins

Origin of futon¹

C19: from Japanese

Example Sentences

“Let’s say some guy in the front row goes, ‘Mine happened on a futon,’ then I would stop and be like, ‘That’s your crazy story? What’s next, a hammock?’

From Los Angeles Times

I've already moved in a futon under the desk, so I'm just sleeping there, secretly, every day.

From Salon

She recalled him taking off her pants, turning her over and shoving her face into the futon.

From Salon

Pieced-together bedding has demonstrated thriftiness, whether for contemporary Japanese householders enveloping futons in plaid fragments, or Gilded Age wives making coverlets out of golden silk ribbons from their husbands’ cigar packages.

From New York Times

The room had a desk, chair, futon and a couple of bookshelves — not enough to accommodate my extensive library, leaving piles of books stacked against the wall.

From Salon