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noun

lint

lihnt

Lint (noun) means Small bits of soft fluff that collect on clothing or in pockets. Example: “He picked the lint off his sweater before the interview.”

noun
1
Small bits of soft fluff that collect on clothing or in pockets.
"He picked the lint off his sweater before the interview."
verb
1
To automatically scan source code for errors or style problems.
"Run the linter before you commit the code."

How to use lint

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFluffy fibers that gather on fabric — or, in coding, to automatically check code for mistakes.

Common pairings
lint roller pick off the lint lint the code

Word forms

linted past tense, lints plural, Lints plural, lints singular

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He picked the _____ off his sweater before the interview.

Etymology

From Middle English linet, ultimately traced to Old French linette ("flax grain") or Latin linteum ("linen cloth").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for lint

See all rhymes for lint →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lint” mean?

The word “lint” means small bits of soft fluff that collect on clothing or in pockets. In plain terms, fluffy fibers that gather on fabric — or, in coding, to automatically check code for mistakes.

How do you pronounce “lint”?

“Lint” is pronounced lihnt (/lɪnt/ in IPA).

How do you use “lint” in a sentence?

Here is “lint” used in a sentence: “He picked the lint off his sweater before the interview.”

What part of speech is “lint”?

Depending on how it is used, “lint” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “lint” come from?

The word “lint” comes from Latin. From Middle English linet, ultimately traced to Old French linette ("flax grain") or Latin linteum ("linen cloth").

How many meanings does “lint” have?

“Lint” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small bits of soft fluff that collect on clothing or in pockets.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial