What does terry mean?
“Terry” is a textile term for a soft, absorbent fabric made with raised loops, usually on one or both sides. It is especially familiar in terry towels, bathrobes, and dressing gowns; in British English, the everyday word “towel” often covers what American English may call a “terry towel.” The term is normally treated as an uncountable name for the material, so it appears chiefly in compound nouns rather than as a freely counted object. As an adjective, terry describes fabric or garments made from it. Its association with towels and robes gives it a domestic, comfortable, and practical connotation rather than a technical or luxurious one. Terry is useful because it identifies a distinctive fabric construction, not merely a generic cotton cloth: the looped pile helps make such towels soft, absorbent, and relatively quick to dry.
A woven fabric, usually cotton, with raised loops or pile on one or both faces, used especially for towels and robes.
"This soft terry is suitable for making bath towels."
Generally uncountable and most common in compound nouns.
Made from or consisting of terry fabric.
"The hotel provided a terry robe and matching slippers."
Usually occurs attributively, especially in “terry towel,” “terry cloth,” and “terry bathrobe.”
Terry is normally treated as an uncountable name for the fabric, so plural forms such as “terries” are uncommon.
"The manufacturer uses terry for its range of bath towels."
Terry is the looped fabric that turns an ordinary towel into a plush, quick-drying home companion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does terry come from?
The English textile term is attested from the early 19th century. Its origin has been connected with French tire, an old linen fabric with a nap, and alternatively with Terry, a place name in Lancashire associated with textile production. The precise derivation remains disputed, although the word became firmly established as a name for looped cotton fabric.
How terry is actually used
Terry is usually an uncountable textile term and is most natural in compounds such as “terry towel” and “terry robe.” In British English, “towel” is often sufficient where American English may specify “terry towel.”
Easily confused with terry
Tarry is pronounced /ˈtæri/ and means to wait or delay, whereas terry is pronounced /ˈtɛri/ and denotes loop-pile fabric.