# cotton

/ˈkɑtən/ (US) · /kˈɒtən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cotton
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the material or fabric

noun · CEFR A2

a soft, white material used for making clothes, sheets, and towels.

For teachers: the fibrous substance harvested from the cotton plant, or the textile fabric manufactured from it.

- This shirt is made of 100% cotton so it stays cool in the summer.
- The textile industry relies heavily on high-quality cotton for the production of breathable, durable garments suitable for warm climates.

### 2. the plant

noun · CEFR B1

the plant that produces the white fibers used for making cloth.

For teachers: a plant of the genus Gossypium, grown in warm climates for its fiber-filled seed pods.

- The farmers spent the morning checking the cotton in the fields.
- Agricultural researchers are developing new varieties of cotton that require significantly less water to thrive in arid regions.

### 3. thread

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a long, thin string of cotton used for sewing.

For teachers: thread spun from cotton fibers, typically wound on a spool for sewing or embroidery.

- I need a reel of blue cotton to fix the hole in my jeans.
- She selected a spool of mercerized cotton that perfectly matched the shade of the vintage silk lining.

### 4. made of cotton

adjective · CEFR A2

describes something that is made from cotton fibers.

For teachers: composed of or relating to cotton; non-gradable.

- She prefers wearing cotton socks because they are more comfortable.
- The museum's collection includes several rare cotton tapestries dating back to the early nineteenth century.

### 5. to understand or like

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English

to begin to understand something or to start liking someone.

For teachers: to begin to understand or take a liking to something or someone; usually followed by 'to' or 'on to'.

- It took him a while to cotton on to the fact that they were joking.
- The public was slow to cotton on to the implications of the new tax policy until the first bills arrived.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrasal forms 'cotton on' or 'cotton to'.

## Examples

- This shirt is made of 100% cotton.
- The farmer decided to plant cotton this year because the soil was perfect for a high-yield crop.
- Global trade in cotton remains a cornerstone of the textile industry, though its production is increasingly scrutinised for environmental impact and water consumption in arid regions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.