What does pillowing mean?
Pillowing is an evocative word for something rounded, soft, and bulging like a cushion. Its best-known use is as an adjective, often describing clouds, fog, snow, or waves whose swelling forms suggest a large soft pillow. The word can also mean to rest or support one's head on a pillow, though in ordinary conversation a simpler verb such as rest would normally be preferred. There is also a literary noun meaning the act of putting one's head on a pillow. Although the word can sound poetic, it remains readily understood, and its visual associations make it especially effective in descriptions of weather, fabric, cushions, and soft natural forms. The expression has a gentle, restful quality: pillowing objects appear comfortable, rounded, and yielding rather than hard, flat, or sharply defined.
Soft, rounded, and bulging like a pillow.
"A bank of pillowing cloud filled the western sky."
Common chiefly in literary descriptions of clouds, snow, waves, and other soft or swollen masses.
To rest or support one's head on a pillow.
"He lay back, pillowing his head on his arms."
Formal or literary; in everyday speech, resting one's head on a pillow is more usual.
The act of resting or supporting one's head on a pillow.
"Her gentle pillowing against the mattress gradually became still."
Uncommon and literary.
Clouds can look like enormous feathers, but when the poet calls them pillowing, it is their weight, softness, and rounded volume that come to mind.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pillowing come from?
English pillow developed through Middle English pilwe from Old English pilw, a word denoting a bolster or cushion. The deeper history is debated, but a relationship with Latin pulvinus, meaning cushion, has often been proposed, as have connections with forms such as Dutch peluw and German Polster. The modern participial and adjectival form pillowing has followed the verb and adjective uses of pillow.
Related word forms
How pillowing is actually used
As an adjective, pillowing is strongly associated with literary descriptions of soft or swollen masses, especially clouds and snow. Its verbal and nominal uses are also literary rather than part of routine everyday vocabulary.
Easily confused with pillowing
Pillowing describes a soft, cushionlike bulge, whereas billing means to send an invoice or move in a rolling motion.