A pill is a small knot of broken fibers that has worked its way to the surface of a textile and tangled together due to friction. These fuzzballs remain attached to the fabric by anchor fibers, making the garment look worn and textured. They are most common in areas of high abrasion, such as under the arms or between the thighs, and are especially prevalent in synthetic blends.
Heard on the job
This sweater is ruined because there's a massive pill forming under the right armpit.
Insider tip
Pilling is often worse in blends of strong and weak fibers. The weak fiber breaks and tangles, while the strong fiber holds the resulting pill firmly to the fabric.
Also heard as
- bobble
- Pilled
- bobbled