linen
Linen (noun) means a strong, cool fabric woven from flax fibers. Example: “She wore a crisp linen shirt in the summer heat.”
How to use linen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe fabric made from flax, or bed/table textiles generally.
Word forms
linens plural, Linens plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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
View more →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.