Fleece — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈflēs/

Meaning & Definition of Fleece

Fleece (noun)

  1. the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (such as a sheep)
  2. the wool obtained from a sheep at one shearing
  3. any of various soft or woolly coverings

Fleece (verb)

  1. to strip of money or property by fraud or extortion
  2. to charge excessively for goods or services
  3. to remove the fleece from, shear

Fleece (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the hairy covering of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick

    "learning how to shear the fleece off a sheep"

    similar: coat, fur, hair, jacket, pelage, pile, wool
    related: undercoat, underfur, hide, leather, pelt, skin

Fleece (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to rob by the use of trickery or threats

    "swindlers who use the telephone to fleece senior citizens out of their savings"

    similar: beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, defraud, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, flimflam, gaff, hose (slang), hustle, mulct, nobble (British slang), pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, thimblerig, victimize, sell a bill of goods to, take for a ride, take to the cleaners
    related: extort, wrench, wrest, wring, clip, gouge, nick, overcharge, soak, exploit, milk, deceive, dupe, fool, gull, trick, rope (in), betray, bitch, double-cross, bamboozle, fast-talk

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Fleece

The most common words with a similar meaning to Fleece:

Slang: hose
British slang: nobble
coat, fur, hair, jacket, pelage, pile, wool, beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, defraud, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, flimflam, gaff, hustle, mulct, pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker

Related Words for Fleece

undercoat, underfur, hide, leather, pelt, extort, wrench, wrest, wring, clip, gouge, nick, overcharge, soak, exploit, milk, deceive, dupe, fool, gull, trick, rope (in), betray, bitch, double-cross, bamboozle, fast-talk

Word Forms of Fleece

Inflections: fleeced, fleecing

Origin & Etymology of Fleece

Middle English flees, from Old English flēos; akin to Middle High German vlius fleece and perhaps to Latin pluma feather, down

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Fleece

Golden Fleece

Frequently Asked Questions about Fleece

What does "Fleece" mean?

"Fleece" means the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (such as a sheep). As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the coat of wool covering a wool-bearing animal (such as a sheep). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Fleece"?

Other words for "Fleece" include coat, fur, hair, jacket, pelage, pile, wool and beat. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Fleece" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Fleece"?

There are 75 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Fleece". Common alternatives include coat, fur, hair, jacket, pelage, pile, wool, beat, bilk and bleed.

How do you use "Fleece" in a sentence?

Examples of "Fleece" in a sentence: "learning how to shear the fleece off a sheep"; "swindlers who use the telephone to fleece senior citizens out of their savings".

Is "Fleece" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Fleece" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Fleece"?

"Fleece" is pronounced /ˈflēs/.

What is the origin of the word "Fleece"?

"Fleece" comes from Middle English flees, from Old English flēos; akin to Middle High German vlius fleece and perhaps to Latin pluma feather, down. First known use: before 12th century.

What is another word for "Fleece" meaning "the hairy covering of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick"?

When "Fleece" (noun) means the hairy covering of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick, synonyms include coat, fur, hair, jacket, pelage and pile.