duvet
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a warm, soft cover for a bed that is filled with feathers or other soft material.
a quilt or flat cloth bag filled with down or synthetic insulation, typically used with a removable cover as the primary bedding layer.
Simple“It was so cold outside that I just wanted to stay under my warm duvet all morning.”
In context“The hotel provides a thick down duvet on every bed, ensuring guests remain comfortable even during the peak of the alpine winter.”
UsageCommonly used in British, Irish, and Australasian English; American speakers typically use 'comforter'.
Teacher's tipWhile 'duvet' is understood globally, teachers should note that in the US, the term often refers specifically to the decorative cover rather than the thick insert itself.
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a thin fabric cover that you put over a thick quilt to keep it clean.
a removable fabric case for a quilt or comforter, functioning similarly to a large pillowcase.
Simple“She bought a new floral duvet to match the curtains in her bedroom.”
In context“The laundry instructions specify that only the cotton duvet should be machine washed, while the down-filled insert requires professional dry cleaning.”
UsageOften used as a shortened form of 'duvet cover' in North American contexts.
Teacher's tipIn American English, 'duvet' is frequently used as a shorthand for 'duvet cover', which can lead to confusion with the British sense of the physical quilt.
Synonymsduvet coverslipcover
From French duvet, from Middle French duvet, from Old French duvet (“down, the feathers of young birds”), alteration of dumet, dumect, which in turn derives from dum, dun (“down, feathers”), from Old Norse dúnn (“down, down feather”), from Proto-Germanic dūnaz (“down”), from Proto-Indo-European dʰewh₂- (“to smoke, fume, raise dust”). Cognate with Icelandic dúnn (“down”), Danish dun (“down”), German Daune (“down”), Dutch dons (“down”). More at down.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.