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Definition of cottonwool

cottonwool

/ˈkɑːtənwʊl/
cot · ton · wool
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cottonwool Lexical Profile

cottonwool Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British Soft, fluffy, absorbent mass of raw or bleached cotton fibers used for medical dressings, cleaning wounds, or applying cosmetics.

Example

"The nurse dabbed the small cut with a piece of cottonwool soaked in antiseptic."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for cottonwool

Word Nuance & Usage

Usually written as an open compound ('cotton wool') in British and Commonwealth English; American English speakers generally use 'absorbent cotton' or 'cotton balls' instead.

• Nearby Words

cottontail
cottontail rabbit
cottonwood
cottonwool
cottony
coturnix
coucal

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Cottonwool. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/cottonwool
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