baize

American  

[beyz] / beɪz /

noun

1. a soft, usually green, woolen or cotton fabric resembling felt, used chiefly for the tops of billiard tables.

2. an article of this fabric or of a fabric resembling it.

---

verb (used with object)

baized, baizing

1. to line or cover with baize.

baize British  

/ beɪz /

noun

1. a woollen fabric resembling felt, usually green, used mainly for the tops of billiard tables

---

verb

1. (tr) to line or cover with such fabric

Etymology

Origin of baize

1570–80; earlier bayes < French baies (noun), Old French ( estoffes fabrics) baies, feminine plural of bai (adj.) bay ⁵

Example Sentences

The green baize was where he would first make his mark.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

"They would have the whole conversation, then he would go home and type it all up. Then they would meet at Broadcasting House across a green baize table and read the script to each other."

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2022

He was tall and beautiful and wore things like capes and bottle-green suits made from the baize that covers billiard tables.

From New York Times • Jul. 12, 2016

This is a day sale, so comparatively small, and in the low light paintings blaze from the black baize walls.

From Salon • Jul. 14, 2013

“A gloomy wood,” according to the one playbill, was represented by a few shrubs in pots, green baize on the floor, and a cave in the distance.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott