pilling

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The formation of tiny balls of loose fiber on the surface of fabric, caused by rubbing and wear.

   Grammar: Used without an or plural: pilling is common on wool.

   Patterns

   • pilling on something
   • prevent pilling

   Pilling on the sleeves shows where the sweater rubs against your arms.

   Cheap polyester often suffers from pilling after a few washes.

   The seller promised that the blanket would resist pilling.

2. 2noununcountablespecialist

   The act of giving a pill to an animal, or of making someone swallow medicine in tablet form.

   Grammar: Used in veterinary and pet-care settings.

   Patterns

   • pilling a cat

   Pilling a cat can be difficult without a calm approach.

   The vet showed us a safe method of pilling a dog.

   She wrapped the tablet in cheese to avoid the stress of pilling.

Common combinations

resist pilling

Tightly woven fabrics resist pilling better.

prevent pilling

Washing inside out helps prevent pilling.

anti-pilling

The label says it is an anti-pilling finish.

pilling on wool

There is a bit of pilling on the wool scarf.

remove pilling

A fabric shaver can remove pilling quickly.

Synonyms and how they differ

bobbling

Bobbling is the British informal word for the same effect, while pilling is the more technical, textile-trade term.

fuzzing

Fuzzing means a soft haze of fibers and does not necessarily include the little balls.

matting

Matting means fibers pressed into a dense, felted layer, not separate small balls.

Word family

pill verb

to form small balls of fiber on the surface

pilled adjective

covered in small balls of fiber

pills noun

the little fiber balls themselves

Commonly confused: pilling or peeling?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “pilling”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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