Stoff

Stoff is a German noun that commonly denotes a fabric or textile used in clothing and interior decor, but it also functions as a general term for any material or substance. In English, Stoff is usually translated as fabric, textile, material, or substance. The word is widely used in fashion, upholstery, and manufacturing contexts.

In textile use, Stoff refers to sheet-like material produced from fibers joined by weaving, knitting, or nonwoven processes. Fibers may be natural, such as cotton, wool, linen, or silk, or synthetic, such as polyester and nylon. Fabrics are finished through dyeing, printing, coating, or other treatments to achieve color, texture, and performance properties like durability, water resistance, or flame retardance.

Applications of Stoff cover apparel, home textiles, and a range of technical or industrial fabrics. The choice of Stoff depends on factors such as fiber content, yarn construction, weave or knit pattern, weight, and drape, which together determine usability for a given end use. Materials can be selected for comfort, strength, appearance, or cost.

Culturally and linguistically, Stoff remains a core term in the German-speaking textile industry and everyday language for describing material content. It is also used metaphorically to discuss the content or material that makes up a topic or project.