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)

Example Sentences

"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

She’s wearing a long-sleeved flannel shirt rolled up to her elbows.

From Literature

At the moment, however, Penelope’s only wish was to wrestle herself out of that absurd outfit and into her own plain flannel nightdress before nodding off.

From Literature

Now, he wears it neatly trimmed, but has embraced the Seattle look of untucked flannel shirts and jeans.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon