What does merino mean?
A merino is a sheep breed renowned for its exceptionally fine, soft fleece, and the word also refers to wool or fabric made from that fleece. Merino wool is valued for being warm, breathable, comfortable, and relatively resistant to odour, making it especially popular in socks, base layers, sweaters, and other clothing. In everyday speech, “merino” usually appears before a garment or material, as in “merino wool” or “a merino sweater.” Although Merino sheep are associated with Spain and the term entered English through Spanish, the word now describes a broad category of fine wool and wool products used in many countries. The word can also function more broadly to refer to a Merino sheep itself.
nounA Merino is a sheep breed valued for its exceptionally fine, soft wool. The word can also refer to wool or fabric made from the fleece of Merino sheep.
- A breed of sheep noted for producing exceptionally fine, soft wool.
- Wool, yarn, or fabric obtained from Merino sheep or made to imitate its qualities.
"She wore a lightweight sweater made from fine merino wool."
"The farmer's flock included several prize merino ewes."
"This merino sweater is warm without feeling bulky."
The plural merinos refers to Merino sheep or, less commonly, to Merino garments or other items made from merino wool.
"The merinos grazed on the hillside while the shepherd watched them."
The word merino names both a sheep breed and one of the world's finest natural wools, a legacy of Spanish sheep whose prized fleece was traded across Europe.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does merino come from?
The English word merino comes through Spanish merino, a term associated with a fine-woolled sheep breed. Spanish merino derives from Latin merinus, meaning “ram,” although the deeper origin of that Latin word is uncertain. The term reached English in the 17th century and initially referred chiefly to the sheep; its use for the fine fleece and related textiles developed later.
How merino is actually used
Merino is commonly used attributively, as in “merino wool,” “merino sheep,” and “merino sweater.” In textiles, it usually denotes wool or a wool blend, although the term is also used for some synthetic fibers marketed as merino.