floss

[ flaws, flos ]

noun

1. the cottony fiber yielded by the silk-cotton tree.
2. silk filaments with little or no twist, used in weaving as brocade or in embroidery.
3. any silky, filamentous matter, as the silk of corn.
4. dental floss.

verb (used without object)

1. to use dental floss on the teeth.

verb (used with object)

1. to clean (the teeth) with dental floss.

floss

/ flɒs /

noun

1. the mass of fine silky fibres obtained from cotton and similar plants
2. any similar fine silky material, such as the hairlike styles and stigmas of maize or the fibres prepared from silkworm cocoons
3. untwisted silk thread used in embroidery, etc
4. See dental floss

verb

1. tr to clean (between one's teeth) with dental floss

Other Words From

• flosser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of floss¹

1750–60; probably < French floche, as in soie floche floss silk, Old French flosche down, velvet pile (of uncertain origin)

Word History and Origins

Origin of floss¹

C18: perhaps from Old French flosche down

Example Sentences

To know that after heavy January rains, inevitably there will be a deep, V-shaped rut along the center of the trailhead, like a voracious alien mouth; or that in late May the mustard weed will be so wildly overgrown and bushy that it will completely swallow up the trailhead sign, post and all; or that for a brief window in late October-early November, two pink silk floss trees will bloom the color of bubble gum just below the Vista Del Valle lookout point.

From Los Angeles Times

Children are being targeted with colours, branding and flavours such as bubble gum or candy floss, it says, to push a product that can lead to nicotine addiction.

From BBC

To the west, the clouds unfurled like strawberry-pink candy floss.

From Los Angeles Times

Gibson writes, "Forget chocolate and vanilla swirls and rainbow sprinkles; this summer, nostalgia-inspiring soft serve is going from Mister Softee to Michelin stars," specifically noting such ingredients as miso, edible gold leaf, tahini, oat milk, hazelnuts, halva floss, pistachio, buffalo milk, doenjang, toasted soybean powder, and chamoy.

From Salon

It’s not as if I haven’t tried to stay on top of things — I walk, swim, ride a bike, brush and floss and eat reasonably, at least some of the time.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cord
• cotton
• fiber
• filament
• hair
• ribbon
• strand
• string
• wire
• wool
• yarn