noun
Uncommon
flannel
FLA-nuhl
Flannel (noun) means a soft woven fabric, originally wool, now often cotton or a blend, used for warm shirts and bedding. Example: “He wore a flannel shirt for the cold hike.”
noun
1
A soft woven fabric, originally wool, now often cotton or a blend, used for warm shirts and bedding.
"He wore a flannel shirt for the cold hike."
2
(British) A small cloth used for washing the face or body.
"She wiped her face with a damp flannel."
3
(British informal) Empty, flattering talk meant to smooth things over.
"Cut the flannel and just tell me the real numbers."
How to use flannel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft warm fabric (or a shirt made from it); in British English also a washcloth, and informally, evasive flattering talk.
UK vs US
In the US, "flannel" mainly means the fabric/shirt. In the UK, it can also mean a face washcloth or, informally, vague flattering talk meant to avoid a straight answer.
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Word forms
- Plural
- flannels
- Third person singular
- flannels
- Past tense
- flanneled, flannelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He wore a _____ shirt for the cold hike.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman flanelle, ultimately traced back to a Celtic word for coarse wool.
Related words
Rhymes for flannel
See all rhymes for flannel →Frequently asked questions
What does “flannel” mean?
The word “flannel” means a soft woven fabric, originally wool, now often cotton or a blend, used for warm shirts and bedding. In plain terms, a soft warm fabric (or a shirt made from it); in British English also a washcloth, and informally, evasive flattering talk.
How do you pronounce “flannel”?
“Flannel” is pronounced FLA-nuhl (/ˈflænəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “flannel” in a sentence?
Here is “flannel” used in a sentence: “He wore a flannel shirt for the cold hike.”
What part of speech is “flannel”?
“Flannel” is a noun.
Where does the word “flannel” come from?
The word “flannel” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman flanelle, ultimately traced back to a Celtic word for coarse wool.
Is “flannel” a common word?
“Flannel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “flannel” have?
“Flannel” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft woven fabric, originally wool, now often cotton or a blend, used for warm shirts and bedding.
