Towels: meaning, definitions and examples

Use for drying off after a bath or shower, or for absorbing water during cleaning.

• After my shower, I used a towel to dry myself off.
• I always keep a towel in the kitchen for wiping up spills.

Used generally for pieces of fabric, particularly for cleaning, covering surfaces, or as an article of clothing.

• I used a cloth to wipe the dust off the table.
• He wrapped the bread in a cloth to keep it fresh.

Refers to fine quality fabric, often used for bed sheets, tablecloths, or high-quality clothing.

• My grandmother gave me a beautiful linen tablecloth.
• The hotel provided fresh linen on the bed every day.

Usually refers to old, worn-out pieces of cloth used for cleaning, with a negative connotation.

• She used an old rag to clean the grease off her hands.
• The mechanic wiped his oily hands on a rag.

A dishcloth is specifically used for washing or drying dishes and kitchen utensils. It is often smaller and more abrasive than towels, making it suited for cleaning.

• She used a dishcloth to scrub the stubborn stains off the pot.
• The dishcloth was damp from washing all the dinner plates.

A tea towel is typically used for drying dishes and cutlery, or covering baked goods to keep them warm. It is often made of linen or cotton and sometimes features decorative patterns.

• He used a tea towel to dry the wine glasses.
• The freshly baked bread was kept warm under a tea towel.