linen

[ lin-uhn ]

noun

1. fabric woven from flax yarns.
2. Often linens. bedding, tablecloths, shirts, etc., made of linen cloth or a more common substitute, as cotton.
3. yarn made of flax fiber.
4. thread made of flax yarns.

adjective

1. made of linen:

   a linen jacket.

linen

/ ˈlɪnɪn /

noun

1. 1. a hard-wearing fabric woven from the spun fibres of flax
   2. ( as modifier )

      a linen tablecloth

2. yarn or thread spun from flax fibre
3. clothes, sheets, tablecloths, etc, made from linen cloth or from a substitute such as cotton
4. See linen paper

Other Words From

• linen·y adjective
• half-linen adjective
• under·linen noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of linen¹

before 900; Middle English lin ( n ) en (noun, adj.), Old English linnen, līnen (adj.) made of flax, equivalent to līn flax (< Latin līnum; line ² ) + -en -en ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of linen¹

Old English linnen, ultimately from Latin līnum flax, line ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. wash one's dirty linen in public, to discuss in public one's private scandals, disagreements, or difficulties.

More idioms and phrases containing linen

see wash one's dirty linen in public .

Example Sentences

The launch is all linen, and includes tops and bottoms and a house dress for women as well.

From The Daily Beast

He carefully began cutting through the old linen, and then stopped.

From Popular-Science

Several nearby shops and restaurants contributed to the event by delivering plates and utensils, flowers, linens, and other decorations to spruce up the space.

From Washington Post

The combination of gray and yellow has been used in linens and fabrics for several years, albeit in softer hues, so while the stronger hues have been updated for 2021, I don’t find them fresh or exciting anymore.

From Washington Blade

At dinner, you’re sitting down at a table with linens and introducing yourself to the people next to you.

From Outside Online

Davis jumped over a 4-foot porch wall and ran into a house, where he and others crammed themselves into a linen closet.

From The Daily Beast

De la Renta did design some stuff for Kennedy too—notably, one perfect belted sheath in crisp white linen.

From The Daily Beast

The edges of the elegant paper are crackled; the ink bled into the linen weave long ago and has not faded.

From The Daily Beast

He moves her with no more concern for her condition than if she were a bag of dirty linen left behind by housekeeping.

From The Daily Beast

“Better to wash dirty linen in public than have it grow mildew in a dark cupboard,” a party insider told The Daily Beast.

From The Daily Beast

They all wore very large linen collars and black cravats, which gave them a very serious appearance.

From Project Gutenberg

Sergeant Burton knelt down and gingerly laid his hand upon the stained linen over the breast of Sir Lucien.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of the farmers wore linen dusters and broad straw hats, but their women had put on all their finery.

From Project Gutenberg

In one of ole Miss's bureau drawers was a large plain linen handkerchief which was never used.

From Project Gutenberg

A lace collar will look as badly over a chintz dress, as a linen one would with velvet, though each may be perfect of its kind.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bedding
• cloth
• lingerie