linen

1 of 2

adjective

lin·​en ˈli-nən How to pronounce linen (audio)
1
: made of flax
2
: made of or resembling linen

linen

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness, and luster
b
: thread or yarn spun from flax
2
: clothing or household articles made of linen cloth or similar fabric
3
: paper made from linen fibers or with a linen finish

Examples of linen in a Sentence

Noun She washes the linen every week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The mismatched white linens and glasses were flea market finds. Alice Cavanagh, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Wide-legged pants are trendy this spring, while linen or cotton clothes can also make a fantastic selection for Easter. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 21 Mar. 2024 Couches and chairs are upholstered in light linen fabrics. Hannah Selinger, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2024 Lightweight materials like 100% cotton or airy linen can keep you cooler while babywearing. Ashley Ziegler, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 Pair them with a sundress on warmer days or linen pants for a casual style. Rachel Trujillo, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Every surface was stacked with fine French porcelain dishes, exquisite linens and tapestries. Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 With solid wood legs, a comfortable linen blend material, and a small matching ottoman, this chair is an ideal option for sunrooms, living rooms, and guest rooms. L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Mar. 2024 Wheeler doesn’t spend a night away from home without three things: a white-noise app on her phone, an eye mask and an all-natural lavender linen spray. Jaime Stathis, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'linen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English līnen, from līn flax, from Latin linum flax; akin to Greek linon flax, thread

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of linen was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near linen

Cite this Entry

“Linen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linen. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

linen

noun
lin·​en
ˈlin-ən
1
: smooth strong cloth or yarn made from flax
2
: household articles (as tablecloths or sheets) or clothing (as shirts or underwear) that were once often made of linen
linen adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on linen

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