merino: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low. Specialist term primarily used in contexts related to textiles, agriculture, fashion, and outdoor clothing.Neutral to technical. Common in commercial, agricultural, and fashion contexts. In everyday use, often appears as 'merino wool'.
Quick answer
What does “merino” mean?
A breed of sheep prized for its very fine, soft wool.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A breed of sheep prized for its very fine, soft wool; also the wool or fabric made from it.
Can refer to the breed of sheep itself, the high-quality wool produced by it, or textiles and clothing items manufactured from that wool. Often used attributively (e.g., merino wool, merino socks).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Associated with quality, luxury in fashion, and performance/technical properties in outdoor gear.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, confined to relevant domains.
Grammar
How to Use “merino” in a Sentence
[made] of merino[woven] from merino[breed] merino sheepVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “merino” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The farmer imported several merinos from New Zealand to improve his flock.
- This scarf is pure merino, incredibly soft and warm.
American English
- The ranch specializes in raising merino for their high-quality wool.
- I prefer a merino base layer for winter running.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in trade descriptions for luxury textiles and high-performance apparel. E.g., 'The new line features 100% extra-fine merino.'
Academic
Appears in agricultural, textile science, and economic history papers. E.g., 'The merino's adaptation to the Australian climate was studied.'
Everyday
Typically encountered when shopping for quality knitwear or outdoor clothing. E.g., 'These hiking socks are made from merino.'
Technical
Precise specification of wool type, its micron count, and garment performance characteristics. E.g., 'The fabric uses 18.5-micron merino for optimal thermoregulation.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “merino”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “merino”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “merino”
- Using 'merino' as a general term for any soft wool (it is specific to the breed).
- Misspelling as 'marino' (which is a surname/place).
- Incorrect pronunciation stressing the first syllable (/ˈmerɪnəʊ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be both. When referring to the sheep breed, it is countable (e.g., 'a herd of merinos'). When referring to the wool as a material, it is usually uncountable (e.g., 'a garment made of merino').
It refers to the diameter of the individual wool fibres in micrometres. A lower micron count indicates finer, softer, and typically more valuable wool. Fine merino is often between 17-24 microns.
Yes, attributively. It is commonly used before nouns like 'wool', 'sweater', 'sock', 'fleece' to specify the type of material (e.g., 'merino sweater').
The breed originated in Spain, but the modern, highly productive flocks are most famously associated with Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
A breed of sheep prized for its very fine, soft wool.
Merino is usually neutral to technical. common in commercial, agricultural, and fashion contexts. in everyday use, often appears as 'merino wool'. in register.
Merino: in British English it is pronounced /məˈriːnəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈrinoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sheep in a fancy MARINA (sounds like 'merino'), wearing a soft, expensive woolly jumper. 'Merino' = 'Marina-quality' wool.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE OF QUALITY (The merino is the source/origin of the superior material). MATERIAL FOR PERFORMANCE (Merino wool is conceptualised as a 'smart' material that performs a function).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of 'merino'?