Velour
/vəˈlʊər/noun
A soft, plush fabric with a pile like velvet, often used for clothing and upholstery.
Did you know?Velour is a French loanword built on the same velvet family as Latin *villosus* (“shaggy, hairy”), so its glamour ultimately comes from words for fur, fuzz, and animal coat.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or wind; the root behind several later words connected with texture and covering”
Latin
Latin
villosus
“shaggy, hairy, covered with long hair”
Latin
Latin
vellus
“fleece, wool”
Old French
Old French
velu
“hairy, shaggy”
Middle French
French
velours
“velvet; a plush, pile fabric”
Modern English
English
velour
“a soft plush fabric resembling velvet”