doily

or doy·ley

[ doi-lee ]

noun

, plural doi·lies.

1. any small, ornamental mat, as of embroidery or lace.
2. Archaic. a small napkin, as one used during a dessert course.

doily

/ ˈdɔɪlɪ /

noun

1. a decorative mat of lace or lacelike paper, etc, laid on or under plates

Word History and Origins

Origin of doily¹

First recorded in 1670–80; named after a London draper of the late 17th century

Word History and Origins

Origin of doily¹

C18: named after Doily, a London draper

Example Sentences

And seven petticoats beneath, so she seemed to skim just above the pile of the carpet, like a floating doily.

From Literature

Gohar World, the New York-based tableware brand founded by Nadia Gohar, 34, and her sister, Laila, 35, sells a delicate lace bib for champagne bottles and an Italian lace bonbon “bonnet” — essentially a doily with compartments meant to hold individual chocolates.

From New York Times

Here are three of my favorites: Racegoer Lystra Adam in an explosion of sunshine-yellow, festooned with flowery pinwheels; racegoer Melanie Mar peering out from below a vast lavender rose, like she’s been wandering through an oversized garden; and an unidentified racegoer in a hat that impressively merges pearls, roses, a doily and numerous horse silhouettes.

From Seattle Times

The three Witchlings and the two older witches settled into cushiony floral chairs around a table covered with an old-fashioned doily tablecloth.

From Literature

What Uncle Chester had lacked in niceties—Aunt Ivy would be horrified to find not one doily in the entire room—he’d made up for in reading materials.

From Literature

Related Words

• cloth
• towel