washcloth

American  

[wosh-klawth, -kloth, wawsh-] / ˈwɒʃˌklɔθ, -ˌklɒθ, ˈwɔʃ- /

noun

plural

washcloths

1. a small cloth for washing one's face or body.

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washcloth British  

/ ˈwɒʃˌklɒθ /

noun

1. another name for dishcloth

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): face cloth.   flannel.  a small piece of cloth used to wash the face and hands

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Etymology

Origin of washcloth

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; wash + cloth

Example Sentences

Less than a day after an exhausting six-and-a-half hour, 18-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, the Dodgers curled up in the corner with a cold washcloth while the Jays smothered them with it.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025

“Because there’s so much virus in the blood, you don’t necessarily see blood on a towel or washcloth or toothbrush or razor or nail clipper,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 3, 2025

Washcloths are particularly controversial: “People get really riled up, like, ‘Washcloths are harbingers of bacteria,’ and ‘If you don’t use a washcloth, you’re dirty.’

From Slate • Nov. 2, 2024

You can buy an ice roller for your face, or even just use a paper towel or washcloth.

From National Geographic • Feb. 21, 2024

She scrubbed hard with the washcloth and shampooed twice.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart