flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈfla-nᵊl 

1

a

: a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture and a slightly napped surface

b

: a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel

c

: a stout cotton fabric usually napped on one side

2

flannels plural

a

: flannel underwear

b

: outer garments of flannel

especially : men's trousers

3

British : washcloth

4

British : flattering or evasive talk

also : nonsense, rubbish

flannel adjective

flannelly

ˈfla-nᵊl-ē 

adjective

Synonyms of flannel

• butter
• taffy
• flattery
• soft soap

Examples of flannel in a Sentence

shirts made of bright-colored flannel

He wore a dark blazer and gray flannels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Luckily, there are plenty of breathable, lightweight and comfortable pajamas available for men that still have that cozy, classic feel of a flannel pajama but tailored for warmer weather. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 July 2026

Forest Service officials, their patience having long evaporated, arrived in force, handcuffing and hauling the occupiers out by the yokes of their flannels, then bulldozing the camp. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Add a set of cotton percale sheets for even more breathability, then when summer ends, use the lightweight quilt as a coverlet or bedspread over your comforter with warm flannel sheets. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 5 July 2026

Elle is a bright pink fish out of water, overlooked and made fun of by her intellectual peers in flannel shirts and dark sweaters, who see her as a ditzy airhead beneath them. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 1 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing flannel

• canton flannel
• red flannel hash

Rhymes for flannel

• annal
• annul
• cannel
• channel
• panel
• pannel
• multichannel
• perianal

Kids Definition

flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈflan-ᵊl 

1

: a soft cloth made of wool or cotton

2

plural : flannel underwear or trousers