oilcloth

[ oil-klawth, -kloth ]

noun

, plural oil·cloths [oil, -klaw, th, z, -klo, th, z, -klawths, -kloths]

1. a cotton fabric made waterproof by being treated with oil and pigment, for use as tablecloths, shelf coverings, and the like.
2. a piece of this fabric.

oilcloth

/ ˈɔɪlˌklɒθ /

noun

1. waterproof material made by treating one side of a cotton fabric with a drying oil, or a synthetic resin
2. another name for linoleum

Word History and Origins

Origin of oilcloth¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; oil + cloth

Example Sentences

As Eater has documented in the past, oilcloth is a popular choice for many restaurants, and you can bring it into your own space.

From Eater

She went up to bed early, leaving him seated in moody thought, his elbows propped on the worn oilcloth of the supper table.

From Project Gutenberg

We had on the table a red oilcloth cover, various well-used salt-cellars, and a motley array of knives and forks.

From Project Gutenberg

Do you think we noticed the red oilcloth table cover, the dingy lamp, and the rock-bottom sofa?

From Project Gutenberg

He could almost hear the unsteady feet toddling across the breadth of dingy oilcloth which carpeted his office floor.

From Project Gutenberg

In these cases they carried something like a revolver, and each had, besides, a little book with black oilcloth covers.

From Project Gutenberg