cashmere
n. C / Un. a very soft, expensive type of wool that comes from a specific kind of goat. You usually find it in high-quality sweaters and scarves.
n. a fine, soft wool fabric or yarn made from the undercoat of the Kashmir goat. Often used in high-end garment manufacturing due to its insulating properties and texture.
She wore a soft cashmere sweater to the dinner.
Because cashmere is so delicate, you should wash it by hand rather than using a machine.
The luxury brand is famous for sourcing its cashmere from high-altitude regions where the goats grow thicker, softer coats to survive the extreme cold.
Borrowed from Hindustani कश्मीर / کشمیر (kaśmīr, “Kashmir”), from Sanskrit कश्मीर (kaśmīra).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Uncountable when referring to the material or fabric; countable when referring to a specific garment made from it.
Last updated May 8, 2026