burlap
Low-frequency in general discourse; medium-frequency in specific domains like agriculture, horticulture, shipping, and crafts.Neutral to slightly informal. Common in practical, industrial, agricultural, and crafting contexts. Less common in formal business or academic writing unless describing a specific material.
Definition
Meaning
A coarse, plain-woven fabric made from jute, hemp, or a similar fiber, often used for sacking, upholstery, and crafts.
The material is characterized by its rough texture and loose weave. It is commonly associated with rustic, utilitarian, or agricultural contexts, and in contemporary use, with DIY crafts, gardening, and eco-friendly packaging.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to the fabric itself. Can be used attributively (e.g., burlap sack). Its connotations are often utilitarian, rustic, natural, or inexpensive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'hessian' is the predominant term for the same material. 'Burlap' is understood but less common. In American English, 'burlap' is standard; 'hessian' is rarely used.
Connotations
Both terms carry similar utilitarian connotations. 'Hessian' has a historical connection to German soldiers (Hessians) whose uniforms were supposedly made from it. 'Burlap' has no such historical baggage in AmE.
Frequency
'Burlap' is high-frequency in AmE for this material; 'hessian' is high-frequency in BrE. Using the opposite term may mark the speaker as using a foreign dialect.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[made] of burlap[wrapped] in burlap[covered] with burlap[sewn from] burlap[lined with] burlapVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'burlap'. Potential descriptive phrases: 'as rough as burlap', 'burlap and lace' (contrasting rustic and delicate).]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contexts of logistics, packaging, raw materials, textile import/export. (e.g., 'The consignment was shipped in burlap bales.')
Academic
Appears in historical, agricultural, or material science texts. (e.g., 'The use of burlap for sandbags was widespread during the war.')
Everyday
Common in gardening (potting, root balls), crafts, Halloween decorations, and rustic-themed events. (e.g., 'I need a burlap sack for the potatoes.')
Technical
Specified in upholstery, landscaping (erosion control), or as a breathable wrapping for trees and root balls. (e.g., 'The balled-and-burlapped tree was ready for planting.')
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The gardener ordered several metres of hessian to protect his plants.
- The rustic look was achieved with hessian table runners.
American English
- We bought a roll of burlap to make gift bags for the wedding.
- The sandbags were made from sturdy burlap.
adjective
British English
- The hessian sack was rough to the touch.
- They used a hessian-backed carpet in the hallway.
American English
- She decorated with burlap banners for the fall festival.
- The burlap texture added a natural feel to the decor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This bag is made of burlap.
- The burlap is brown and rough.
- Farmers often use burlap sacks to store potatoes.
- The present was wrapped in simple burlap and tied with string.
- Due to its biodegradability, burlap is considered an eco-friendly packaging alternative to plastic.
- The artist used burlap as an unconventional canvas for her textured painting.
- The historiography of the Dust Bowl is replete with images of families clutching their meager belongings in burlap bundles.
- While synthetics have replaced it in many industrial applications, burlap persists in niche markets valuing its rustic aesthetic and permeability.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BURLy APe carrying a rough, scratchy SACK. BURLap is for BURLy, rough jobs.
Conceptual Metaphor
BURLAP IS RUSTICITY / UTILITY. Used to metaphorically suggest something is unrefined, natural, sturdy, or simple. (e.g., 'His approach had a burlap honesty.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'мешковина' (meskovina) in every context, as it heavily emphasizes 'sackcloth'. For crafting or decorative contexts, 'грубая ткань' (grubaya tkan') or 'джутовая ткань' (dzhutovaya tkan') might be more accurate. The BrE term 'hessian' has no direct Russian equivalent and should be translated as 'брезент' (brezent) only if context suggests a heavy-duty canvas, which is different.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'burlap' to refer to fine woven materials like linen or cotton. Confusing it with 'canvas' (which is heavier and more tightly woven). Misspelling as 'burlop' or 'berlap'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the use of 'burlap' be LEAST likely?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Burlap is the fabric woven from jute fibers (or sometimes hemp or flax). Jute is the plant fiber; burlap is the resulting cloth.
Yes, but it is absorbent and can take a long time to dry. Prolonged moisture can promote mildew and rot the natural fibers.
The etymology is uncertain. It may derive from the Middle English 'borel' meaning 'coarse cloth' combined with 'lap' (a piece of cloth), or possibly from the town of Boreel in the Netherlands.
Burlap is a loose, plain weave, very coarse and often see-through. Canvas is a much tighter, heavier plain weave, making it more durable and less porous. Canvas is typically made from cotton or linen.