What does sackcloth mean?
Sackcloth is a coarse, heavy fabric traditionally woven from hemp, jute, or similar fibers. It was widely used for making sacks, and its rough, inexpensive character made it especially suitable for clothing associated with mourning, penitence, religious humility, or punishment. In modern English, the word most often appears in historical, literary, or symbolic contexts, such as descriptions of sackcloth shirts or garments worn by penitents. Although sacking and burlap can describe related materials, sackcloth carries a distinctive history and a strong association with austerity and self-denial. The word is understood in both British and American English, though the terms sacking and burlap are often preferred in everyday speech. Its combination of a practical origin and symbolic use makes it especially memorable.
nounA coarse, heavy fabric traditionally made from hemp or jute, used for making sacks and, by extension, worn as a garment expressing mourning, penitence, or humiliation.
- A coarse, heavy cloth traditionally made from hemp or jute, especially cloth used for making sacks.
- A garment made of sackcloth, traditionally worn as a sign of mourning, penitence, or humiliation.
- figuratively, a state or expression of mourning, self-denial, or repentance.
"The monks wore sackcloth as a sign of mourning and repentance."
"The cooperative stores sacks made of coarse sackcloth."
"Her performance in sackcloth conveyed grief and austerity without a spoken word."
The plural is uncommon because sackcloth is normally used as a mass noun; it generally refers to separate garments or pieces of the fabric.
"The museum displayed two sackcloths woven from coarse linen."
Sackcloth turns a humble sack-making fabric into a powerful symbol of mourning and penitence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sackcloth come from?
Sackcloth is a compound of sack and cloth. Sack entered English through Old French sac, from Latin saccus, while cloth has Old English origins; the compound has been used in English since the Middle English period. The same broad Latin root also underlies related words such as sacking, sackful, and satchel.
How sackcloth is actually used
Sackcloth is somewhat old-fashioned and literary, especially in its symbolic religious or ceremonial sense. In modern British and American English, burlap or sacking may be more common terms for the material used in sacks.
Easily confused with sackcloth
Sacking is a general term for coarse woven fabric, especially jute or similar material, whereas sackcloth specifically refers to the traditional fabric used for sacks and symbolic garments.