cotton wool

American  

noun

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

2. British. absorbent cotton.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of cotton wool

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

He often had to put cotton wool in his shoes to fill the extra space.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 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

It also advises using damp cotton wool to clean the eyes.

From BBC • Jan. 17, 2024

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

Briony prepared the tannic acid in a bowl and took the roll of cotton wool.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan