pillowcase
gb/pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/ us/pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/
A2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
fabric cover for a pillow
A cloth cover you put on a pillow.
Usage pattern:
a/the [pillowcase]; [pillowcase] for/on [pillow]
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse pillowcase (the cover) with pillow (the soft cushion). It is usually written as one word: pillowcase.
Synonyms
pillow cover (A more general term; can also refer to decorative covers.)
|
pillow slip (Less common; more used in American English and can sound old-fashioned.)
Collocations
change the pillowcase
|wash the pillowcase
|fresh pillowcase
|clean pillowcase
|cotton pillowcase
|silk pillowcase
|pillowcase set
|standard pillowcase
|pillowcase opening
|pillowcase zipper
Themes
home
|daily_life
|sleep
|household_items
Examples
- I changed the pillowcase and put fresh sheets on the bed.
- She prefers silk pillowcases because they feel cool at night.
- Put the pillow back in its pillowcase after you wash it.
Learner examples
- I need a clean pillowcase.
- This pillowcase is white.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pillowcase
IPA
GB/pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/
US/pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/
Syllables & stress
pil - low - case (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pil)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pillowcase
- Plural: pillowcases
Word family
Forms
pillowcases
noun
Core family
pillow
noun A2
Expressions
body pillowcase
1/bˈɑdi pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
long cover for body pillow
A long pillowcase for a long pillow.
Examples
- I ordered a body pillowcase to match the rest of my bedding.
- This body pillowcase is too short for my pillow.
- She washed the body pillowcase separately because it’s so large.
envelope pillowcase
1/ˈɛnvəlˌoʊp pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
pillowcase with overlapping flap
A pillowcase with a flap that keeps the pillow inside.
Examples
- I like envelope pillowcases because the pillow stays covered.
- The pattern explains how to sew an envelope pillowcase without a zipper.
- These envelope pillowcases have a deep flap at the back.
oxford pillowcase
1/ˈɑksfɚd pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs/
fixed phrase
pillowcase with decorative edge
A pillowcase with a wide decorative border.
Examples
- The set includes two Oxford pillowcases with a matching border.
- She chose Oxford pillowcases to make the bed look more formal.
- These Oxford pillowcases fit standard pillows but have a wider edge.
pillowcase dress
1/pˈɪloʊkˌeɪs dɹˈɛs/
fixed phrase
simple dress made from pillowcase
A simple dress made from a pillowcase.
Examples
- My aunt sewed a pillowcase dress for the baby using a printed cotton pillowcase.
- The tutorial shows how to make a pillowcase dress in under an hour.
- She donated pillowcase dresses to the charity drive.