Definition

A durable fabric made from cotton or linen, often used for covering mattresses and pillows.

Example

The mattress was covered with a layer of ticking to protect it.

Conversation

I just bought a new mattress with a really nice ticking cover.

Oh, that sounds comfortable! Is it soft?

Yes, it feels great and the ticking pattern looks stylish too.

Nice! I love when mattresses have unique designs.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ticking → The word 'ticking' originates from the Middle English 'tikken', meaning to make a repeated sound, which is imitative of the sound itself. It refers to the sound made by a clock or watch as it measures time.

Memory Tip

Imagine the sound of a clock 'ticking' — it helps you remember that 'ticking' refers to the repeated sound made by a clock.

Visually Confused Words