flannel

American  

[flan-l] / ˈflæn l /

noun

1. a soft, slightly napped fabric of wool or wool and another fiber, used for trousers, jackets, shirts, etc.

2. a soft, warm, light fabric of cotton or cotton and another fiber, thickly napped on one side and used for sleepwear, undergarments, sheets, etc.

3. flannels,

   1. an outer garment, especially trousers, made of flannel.

   2. woolen undergarments.

4. British.

   1. a washcloth.

   2. Informal. nonsense; humbug; empty talk.

   3. Informal. flattery; insincere or overdone praise.

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verb (used with object)

flanneled, flanneling, flannelled, flannelling

1. to cover or clothe with flannel.

2. to rub with flannel.

flannel British  

/ ˈflænəl /

noun

1. a soft light woollen fabric with a slight nap, used for clothing

2. (plural) trousers or other garments made of flannel

3. See cotton flannel

4. US and Canadian equivalent: washcloth.  a small piece of cloth used to wash the face and hands; face cloth

5. informal indirect or evasive talk; deceiving flattery

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verb

1. to cover or wrap with flannel

2. to rub, clean, or polish with flannel

3. informal to talk evasively to; flatter in order to mislead

Other Word Forms

• flannelly adjective

Etymology

Origin of flannel

1300–50; Middle English flaunneol, perhaps dissimilated variant of flanyn sackcloth < Welsh; compare Welsh gwlanen woolen article, equivalent to gwlân wool (akin to Latin lāna ) + -en suffix denoting a single item (as a piece of a mass noun or singular of a collective plural)

Explanation

Flannel is a warm, soft cotton or wool fabric. Plaid work shirts are commonly made of flannel. Flannel has been around since the 1700s, when it was created in Welsh textile mills. Pants made of flannel became popular throughout Britain by the early 20th century, particularly in sports like cricket — these trousers are often called flannels. Another kind of flannel is a washcloth or cloth for cleaning. The word flannel is probably related to the Welsh gwlanen, "woolen cloth."

Example Sentences

Even in an era where the 200-inning starter has gone the way of the flannel uniform, Ohtani would need to log more innings to garner serious Cy Young consideration.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

"Free our president," read a placard held by a man with a red flannel shirt which bore the image of Maduro's predecessor and mentor, late socialist firebrand Hugo Chavez.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

And, when I need it the most, a freshly washed flannel shirt comingled with the oddly pleasant aroma of uncooked meat.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

Armed with a handful of songs, the Pendletones — named for the then-popular flannel shirts — began to play at school dances and parties.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2025

Moody shrugged off his flannel shirt and tossed it onto the couch.

From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng