cotton wool

American  

noun

1. cotton in its raw state, as on the boll or gathered but unprocessed.

2. British. absorbent cotton.

---

cotton wool British  

noun

1. Usual US term: absorbent cotton.  Also called: purified cotton.  bleached and sterilized cotton from which the gross impurities, such as the seeds and waxy matter, have been removed: used for surgical dressings, tampons, etc

2. cotton in the natural state

3. informal

   1. a state of pampered comfort and protection

   2. ( as modifier )

      a cotton-wool existence

---

Etymology

Origin of cotton wool

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

"We can't wrap them up in cotton wool and say you should avoid playing sport," Dr Dos'Santos says.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

The frontline Wallabies have been wrapped in cotton wool since the Lions got here, so what the tourists have done is beat up dramatically depleted franchises.

From BBC • Jul. 18, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration in 1999 recommended that garments made of cotton, wool, leather, and yes, even denim were preferable over synthetics.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2025

But when elastane fibres are mixed with cotton, wool, nylon or other fibres, as is the case in many clothes today, the clothes become almost impossible to recycle.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2024

She saw some bottles, some white cotton wool, and a carton of milk, but before she could see any more Dustfinger closed the bag.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke