paisley

¹ American  

[peyz-lee] / ˈpeɪz li /

Or Paisley

noun

plural

paisleys

1. a soft woolen fabric woven with a pattern of colorful and minutely detailed figures.

2. a shawl, scarf, tie, or other article made of this fabric.

3. a silk print simulating this fabric and weave.

4. Also called paisley print.  a pattern resembling the design or figure on this fabric or material.

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adjective

1. made of paisley.

   a paisley shawl.

2. having the pattern of a paisley.

Paisley ² American  

[peyz-lee] / ˈpeɪz li /

noun

1. a city in the Strathclyde region, in SW Scotland, W of Glasgow: thread factories.

2. paisley.

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paisley ¹ British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. a pattern of small curving shapes with intricate detailing, usually printed in bright colours

2. a soft fine wool fabric traditionally printed with this pattern

3. a garment made of this fabric, esp a shawl popular in the late 19th century

4. (modifier) of or decorated with this pattern

   a paisley scarf

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Paisley ² British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. Bob. 1919–96, English footballer and manager: played for Liverpool (1939–54); under his management (1974–83) Liverpool won six English titles and the European Cup three times (1977, 1978, 1981)

2. Ian ( Richard Kyle ) Baron. born 1926, Northern Ireland politician and Presbyterian minister; cofounder (1972) and leader of the Ulster Democratic Unionist Party, First Minister of Northern Ireland from 2007 to 2008

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Paisley ³ British  

/ ˈpeɪzlɪ /

noun

1. an industrial town in SW Scotland, the administrative centre of Renfrewshire: one of the world's chief centres for the manufacture of thread, linen, and gauze in the 19th century. Pop: 74 170 (2001)

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Etymology

Origin of paisley

First recorded in 1825–35; named after Paisley

Example Sentences

A geriatric care worker in her late 50s, she is looking for a design in a particular shade of baby pink with a dull gold paisley motif.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

He leans slightly toward his longtime comedy partner, who provides a colorful counterpoint in a quilted zip-front jacket covered in a riot of paisley patterns.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2025

Further investigation uncovered a full skeleton with a faded, paisley dress and pointed heels.

From New York Times • May 16, 2024

But, he said people should not expect to see astronauts in "paisley spacesuits or any fancy patterns like that. Maintaining a good thermal environment is really the critical thing".

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2023

A young man snatched the paisley fabric from Ned’s pocket.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool