# felt

/ˈfɛɫt/ (US) · /fˈɛlt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. thick fabric

noun · CEFR B1

a thick, soft cloth made by pressing wool or other fibres together rather than weaving them.

For teachers: a non-woven fabric produced by matting, condensing, and pressing fibres together, typically wool or synthetic blends.

- The children used pieces of green felt to make a forest for their toy animals.
- The artisan used high-quality wool felt to line the interior of the handmade instrument case for extra protection.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the material; countable when referring to a specific piece or type.

### 3. a hat

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

a hat made from thick, pressed wool material.

For teachers: a hat constructed from felted material, such as a fedora or trilby.

- He wore a grey felt to the wedding to match his formal suit.
- The detective adjusted his felt, pulling the brim low to shield his eyes from the driving rain.

Usage: Often used metonymically to refer to the hat itself.

### 4. experienced

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

used to describe a feeling or emotion that is very strong or real.

For teachers: perceived or experienced, especially in a profound or intense manner.

- There was a felt need for change in the local community.
- The impact of the budget cuts was deeply felt across the entire healthcare sector, leading to widespread protests.

Usage: Usually occurs before the noun it modifies or after a linking verb.

## Examples

- The children used colorful pieces of felt for their art project.
- The pool table is covered in a durable green felt that allows the balls to roll smoothly across the surface.
- Industrial felt serves as an excellent insulator and gasket material due to its ability to absorb vibrations and resist wear under significant pressure.

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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.