linen

American  

[lin-uhn] / ˈlɪn ən /

noun

• linens
  plural

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.

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adjective

1. made of linen.

   a linen jacket.

idioms

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

linen British  

/ 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

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linen More Idioms  

1. see wash one's dirty linen in public.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• underlinen
  noun
• half-linen
  adjective
• lineny
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• linens
  plural

Etymology

Origin of linen

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

Explanation

Linen is a type of fabric that's sturdy, cool, and absorbent. If you're going to a summer wedding, you should consider wearing a white linen suit. If you're going on a job interview, it's probably not such a great idea. Linen is frequently used in summery dresses and shirts, curtains, bags, pillowcases and sheets, towels. and tablecloths. It's heavy and substantial but stays breathable and fresh when you wear it on a hot day. Linens is sometimes used to mean "bedding or towels," or the things you'd keep in a linen closet. Linen comes from the Old English word linin, "made of flax," from lin, "flax fibers or linen thread."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

linen linens

At the three-year-old JNcQUOI Beach Club, you’re more likely to see people dressed in designer swimsuits holding expensive raffia totes than in the area’s usual uniform of linen shirts and flip-flops.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026

It said the tell-tale signs of bedbugs include red, irritating bites and small blood smears on bed linen; and small brown insects in or around the sleeping area.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

I am now carrying a gorgeous straw tote and wearing linen that has somehow survived public transit without acquiring a wrinkle.

From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026

Cotton and linen are often comfortable because they absorb moisture and allow air movement, although fabric weave, thickness and moisture handling also matter.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 29, 2026

Alyce had washed Alyce Little and wrapped her in clean linen and laid her in her father’s arms before Jane the Midwife bustled up the path and into the cottage.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Tables were dressed in green linens and had seasonal spring bouquets featuring butterfly ranunculus, phlox, and lily of the valley.

From BBC ● Apr. 28, 2026

She still had the linens, socks and kitchen equipment of three functioning households.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 21, 2025

It was vaguely surreal, coming from the chaotic rebel energy of the Sliwa party into a sterile ballroom with white linens and several open bars serving endless glasses of house red and white wines.

From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2025

One drawer was filled with linens hand-painted with birds.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 19, 2025

Cots with crisp white linens sat in uniform rows.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Related Words

• bedding
• cloth
• lingerie