voile n : a light semitransparent fabric

English

Noun

1. A light, almost transparent cotton fabric used for making curtains and dresses

French

Pronunciation

• lang=fr|/vwal/
• : /vwal/

Etymology

From an earlier veile from Latin velum

Noun

fr-noun m

1. veil

fr-noun f

1. sail

   Hissons la grande voile, matelots !

   Raise the mainsail, seamen!

2. sailing (the sport).

   La voile, il n'y a rien de mieux pour se détendre ! J'en ai fait tout le week-end.

   Sailing, there's nothing better for relaxing! I did it all weekend.

Derived terms

• faire de la voile
• voilier

Voile is a light weight woven fabric, generally made of 100% cotton or cotton blends including linen or polyester. Its name originates from the French language and means veil. Because of its light weight the fabric is mostly used in soft furnishing. Full length curtains in hot countries are made with voile and used as window treatments, mosquito nets etc.

In the United Kingdom, as the more old fashioned net curtains lost popularity, voiles came to replace them in the 1990s. More sophisticated weaves became available on the market and intricately detailed voiles became fashionable. Because of their semi-transparent quality voile curtains are made using specially manufacturer heading tape which is less easily noticeable through the fabric. Voile fabric is also used in dress-making either in multiple layers or laid over a second material.