wooly

Wooly is an English adjective describing something that resembles or is made of wool. It is used for textures that are soft, fluffy, fibrous, or covered with short wool-like fibers. The term can apply to clothing, textiles, or surfaces—such as fabrics with a woolly feel or plant and animal hairs described as wooly.

Spelling and usage vary. The most common modern form is woolly, with two Ls. The variant wooly, with a single L, appears less frequently and is more likely to be found in older texts, regional speech, or as part of proper nouns and brand names. Both spellings share the same root and meaning.

Etymology and related forms. Wooly derives from the noun wool, with the adjectival suffix -ly. The concept is closely related to related terms like woolly or wool-like, used across science and everyday language to denote a wool texture or coating. In scientific writing, woolly or woolly-haired descriptors are commonly used to describe plant or animal surfaces that are densely covered with soft fibers.

Context and usage. The word appears across disciplines, from textiles and fashion to biology and horticulture, wherever a wool-like appearance or feel is relevant. While wooly is still understood, standard usage in many varieties of English favors woolly. The term is also encountered in culture and branding, where it may appear as a proper noun or product name.