corduroy

[ kawr-duh-roi, kawr-duh-roi ]

noun

1. a cotton-filling pile fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges.
2. corduroys, trousers made of this fabric.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling corduroy.
2. constructed of logs laid together transversely, as a road across swampy ground.

verb (used with object)

1. to form (a road or the like) by laying logs transversely.
2. to make a corduroy road across or along.

corduroy

/ ˌkɔːdəˈrɔɪ; ˈkɔːdəˌrɔɪ /

noun

1. See also corduroys
   1. a heavy cotton pile fabric with lengthways ribs
   2. ( as modifier )

      a corduroy coat

Word History and Origins

Origin of corduroy¹

1780–90; perhaps cord ( cords ) + duroy, deroy (now obsolete) a woolen fabric originating in W England; later taken as French cord du roy the king's cords, though the fabric had no connection with France

Word History and Origins

Origin of corduroy¹

C18: perhaps from the proper name Corderoy

Example Sentences

These pleated pinstripe corduroy trousers are a contemporary classic.

From Los Angeles Times

Together they savored “Corduroy,” “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Charlotte’s Web,” and they vanished into the stacks of the Arlington Public Library, quietly calling out “brother” and “sister” to find each other when it was time to leave.

From Los Angeles Times

The 6-foot-5 artist — dressed in a brown corduroy jacket and Adidas track pants, his shoulder-length hair pulled back in a bun — was just a few hours from playing the third of four sold-out nights there, a record-breaking run at the venue.

From New York Times

Kings Starter jacket, the ribbed corduroy from the house shoes her dad would buy at the swap meet, a quilted inside that draws from the iconographic element of a Chanel bag.

From Los Angeles Times

Explaining the absence of Wes Anderson, who won best live action short for “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” Kimmel noted that Anderson was at home, “building a diorama out of corduroy.”

From Seattle Times