linen
LIH-nihn
Linen (noun) means a strong, cool fabric woven from flax fibers. Example: “She wore a crisp linen shirt in the summer heat.”
noun
1
A strong, cool fabric woven from flax fibers.
"She wore a crisp linen shirt in the summer heat."
"The tablecloth was made of white linen that creased easily."
"Linen is a popular choice for summer trousers because it stays cool."
2
Household textiles such as sheets, tablecloths, and towels, whether or not actually made of linen.
"They changed the linen on the guest bed before visitors arrived."
"The hotel sends its dirty linen to a laundry every morning."
"She stored the spare linen in the cupboard on the landing."
adj
1
Made of linen, or having its pale beige color.
"He wore a linen suit for the wedding."
"The room had linen curtains that let in soft light."
"She painted the walls a warm linen shade."
How to use linen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe fabric made from flax, or bed/table textiles generally.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
linen sheets
linen closet
change the linen
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Word forms
- Plural
- linens
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She wore a crisp _____ shirt in the summer heat.
Etymology
From Old English linen ("made of flax"), from a Germanic root tied to flax, the plant linen is woven from — the same root gives us the word line.
Synonyms
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flax cloth
Frequently asked questions
What does “linen” mean?
The word “linen” means a strong, cool fabric woven from flax fibers. In plain terms, the fabric made from flax, or bed/table textiles generally.
How do you pronounce “linen”?
“Linen” is pronounced LIH-nihn (/ˈlɪnɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “linen” in a sentence?
Here is “linen” used in a sentence: “She wore a crisp linen shirt in the summer heat.”
What part of speech is “linen”?
Depending on how it is used, “linen” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “linen” come from?
The word “linen” comes from Old English. From Old English linen ("made of flax"), from a Germanic root tied to flax, the plant linen is woven from — the same root gives us the word line.
Is “linen” a common word?
“Linen” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “linen” have?
“Linen” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong, cool fabric woven from flax fibers.
What is the difference between linen and cotton?
Linen is a fabric woven from flax fibers, prized for being strong and notably cool to wear, while cotton is woven from cotton plant fibers and tends to be softer but less cooling. Linen also wrinkles more easily than cotton, which is one of its distinguishing traits.
Why is bedding and towels called linen even when not made of linen fabric?
Household textiles such as sheets, tablecloths, and towels are commonly called linens as a category name, a usage that survives from when such items were traditionally made of linen fabric, even though today they are often made from cotton or synthetic materials.
What colour is linen?
As a colour term, linen describes a pale beige shade, named after the natural, undyed colour of woven flax fabric.
