What does voile mean?
Voile is a lightweight, sheer, loosely woven fabric traditionally made from fine cotton or silk. Its transparent or semi-transparent texture makes it useful for summer dresses, blouses, skirts, scarves, curtains, and veils, while its softness allows it to drape and move easily. A separate piece of fabric may be described as a voile, although in English the word most often refers to the material itself. Voile should not be confused with a veil, which can refer either to the traditional head covering worn by a bride or to any thin concealing layer. In fashion and textile descriptions, terms such as cotton voile emphasize the fabric's construction and often imply delicacy, breathability, and a flowing appearance. The word is pronounced like oil and is understood in both British and American English. Although voile is closely related in meaning and origin to words such as gauze and tulle, it generally suggests a particularly fine, soft, and drapey textile.
nounA lightweight, sheer, loosely woven fabric, usually made of cotton or silk and used for garments, veils, or decorative coverings.
- A lightweight, semi-transparent, loosely woven fabric used especially for clothing and decorative coverings.
- A thin veil or layer made from voile or a similar sheer fabric.
"The dress was cut from soft white voile and floated gracefully in the breeze."
"She chose a flowing blouse made from pale blue voile for the summer ceremony."
"A light veil of voile softened the light around the bride's face."
The standard plural is voiles, used for separate pieces of the fabric or for multiple lightweight coverings.
"The shop displayed voiles in white, cream, and pastel colors."
Voile and veil share an ancient root: both descend from the Latin word for a curtain or covering.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does voile come from?
English voile was borrowed from French voile, which derives from Latin vela, the plural of velum, meaning a sail, curtain, or covering. The word entered English as the name of a fine, sheer fabric during the 19th century. Related English words include veil, borrowed through Old French from the same Latin source, and velar, derived from Latin velum in reference to the soft palate.
How voile is actually used
In English, voile most commonly names the material rather than the completed garment. The term is standard in both British and American English and is especially common in fashion, textiles, weddings, and interior decoration.
Easily confused with voile
Voile is pronounced like the word oil and names a sheer fabric, whereas vile means wicked, morally bad, or disagreeable.