What does mohair mean?
Mohair is a soft, lustrous, and durable fiber obtained from the hair of Angora goats, as well as a fabric or yarn made from it. The fiber is valued for its smooth texture, sheen, warmth, and resistance to creasing and wear. Mohair is commonly used in fine sweaters, suits, coats, scarves, and upholstery, either on its own or blended with other fibers such as wool, silk, or cotton. Because Angora goats are raised principally for their fleece, mohair production is closely associated with South Africa, although the material is also produced in Texas and elsewhere. Although the word can evoke luxury and traditional fine tailoring, mohair is also a practical textile choice because it is durable and relatively resistant to felting. The name ultimately comes through Turkish from Arabic, reflecting the long movement of Angora goat hair and finished textiles across Europe and the Middle East.
nounA glossy, durable fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat, used especially for clothing, upholstery, and textiles. The term can also refer to the goat hair used to make these products.
- A soft, lustrous, durable fabric or yarn made from the hair of the Angora goat.
- The long, silky hair of the Angora goat, used for making fine textiles.
"She wore an elegant emerald-green mohair coat to the ceremony."
"The sweater is made from a soft blend of mohair and wool."
"Farmers in South Africa have long raised Angora goats for mohair."
The plural is used when referring to different quantities or types of mohair fiber, fabric, or yarn.
"The shop sells lightweight mohairs for spring jackets."
Mohair’s source is the Angora goat, whose name follows Ankara, the Turkish city historically called Angora.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mohair come from?
The word entered English in the late 16th century through obsolete French mohaire. It was borrowed from Turkish mohair, which in turn came from Arabic mukhayyar, a term associated with a preferred or choice cloth.
Related word forms
How mohair is actually used
The term is used in both British and American English. It refers to goat hair or textiles made from it, but it should not be confused with angora fiber, which usually denotes rabbit wool; some dictionaries also use “angora” for Angora goat hair.
Easily confused with mohair
Mohair generally refers to the fiber or fabric made from Angora goat hair, while angora can refer more specifically to the rabbit fiber of the same name, though it is also used for Angora goat wool.