linen

1 of 2

adjective

lin·​en ˈli-nən 

1

: made of flax

2

: made of or resembling linen

linen

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness, and luster

b

: thread or yarn spun from flax

2

: clothing or household articles made of linen cloth or similar fabric

3

: paper made from linen fibers or with a linen finish

Examples of linen in a Sentence

Noun

She washes the linen every week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

There will be thousands of new and gently used items, including antiques, appliances, art, books, clothes and accessories, electronics, furniture, garden, holiday, housewares, jewelry, linens, pet items, sporting goods and toys. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025

Almost 14,000 square feet of living space is accented throughout with antiques from the collection of newspaper publisher and Crosby friend William Randolph Hearst, including a 17th-century wood staircase banister, linen fold paneling, and custom furnishings. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2025

For those in search of a high-quality linen blend (that is, linen mixed with another fabric), Parachute’s sheet set is hard to beat. —Nora Taylor, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025

Material The full clip ensemble usually is made from plastic, leather, cotton or linen. —Bestreviews, The Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English līnen, from līn flax, from Latin linum flax; akin to Greek linon flax, thread

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing linen

• bed linen(s)
• table linen

Rhymes for linen

• kinin
• ninon
• pinon
• cholecystokinin
• cytokinin
• diazinon
• pangasinan

Kids Definition

linen

noun

lin·​en

ˈlin-ən

1

: smooth strong cloth or yarn made from flax

2

: household articles (as tablecloths or sheets) or clothing (as shirts or underwear) that were once often made of linen

linen adjective