flax

noun

ˈflaks 

often attributive

1

: any of a genus (Linum of the family Linaceae, the flax family) of herbs

especially : a slender erect annual (L. usitatissimum) with blue flowers commonly cultivated for its bast fiber and seed

2

: the fiber of the flax plant especially when prepared for spinning

3

: any of several plants resembling flax

flaxy

ˈflak-sē 

adjective

Examples of flax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This navy version is so unique, but the flax and black options are just as classic. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 7 May 2025

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids naturally exist in fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, chia, flax, and hemp seeds. —Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 2 May 2025

Recreating the infrastructure that would transform flax into linen is a much harder lift. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 1 May 2025

The exterior is European flax linen and the feather-down insert with its organic cotton shell is the ideal medium firmness. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fleax; akin to Old High German flahs flax, Latin plectere to braid — more at ply

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for flax

• axe
• backs
• blacks
• cracks
• fax
• hacks
• jacks
• knacks
• lacks
• lakhs
• lax
• macs

Kids Definition

flax

noun

ˈflaks 

: a slender plant with blue flowers that is grown for its fiber from which linen is made and for its seed from which oil and livestock feed are obtained

also : its fiber