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

Flannel or brushed-cotton sheets have raised fibers that trap more air and feel warmer.

From Washington Post • Jan. 18, 2023

To a large extent, this was the relic of the last stage of industrialization — The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit era.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 14, 2022

Some small family-run brands, like the Vermont Flannel Company and Gitman Bros., sew shirts in the U.S., but the fabric is woven overseas.

From New York Times • Nov. 28, 2018

Why we like them: If you prefer the feel of flannel, we don’t think you can beat the performance and price of L.L.Bean’s Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set.

From Slate • Sep. 21, 2018

Flannel was still widely used but was being replaced by serge which was not as heavy when wet.

From Women's Bathing and Swimming Costume in the United States by Kidwell, Claudia B.