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

Icy blue paneling pairs with a flax linen bed and creamy ivory walls. —Abby Wolner, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Feb. 2025

The preserve is famous for its wildflowers, many of them endemic to Marin County; rare flowers in the area include the Tiburon paintbrush, Tiburon buckwheat, Marin dwarf flax and the Tiburon jewelflower. —Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025

It’s made with premium cotton and flax, and the interior is coated with an easy-to-clean, waterproof material that keeps your clothes dry. —Nicol Natale, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024

People looking to swap out eggs in a recipe for baked good or pancakes may turn to a combination of flax meal and water, or try banana or applesauce, Trout said. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 6 Feb. 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