lint

noun

ˈlint 

1

a

: a soft fleecy material made from linen usually by scraping

b

: fuzz consisting especially of fine ravelings and short fibers of yarn and fabric

2

: a fibrous coat of thick convoluted hairs borne by cotton seeds that yields the cotton staple

lintless

ˈlint-ləs 

adjective

linty

ˈlin-tē 

adjective

Synonyms

• down
• floss
• fluff
• fur
• fuzz
• nap
• pile

Examples of lint in a Sentence

I always have lint in my pocket.

The clothes dryer was clogged with lint.

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, emptying the lint trap will help your appliance run at maximum capacity. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025

Unlike traditional lint rollers, this one is designed specifically to lift thick pet hair off soft surfaces. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2025

The compact machine has three fan speeds and multiple layers to capture particles like dust, dander, and lint. —Isabel Garcia, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025

Artistic Milliners’ regenerative program started in 2023 with 92 farmers producing 300 metric tons of cotton lint. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for lint

• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• mint
• print
• quint
• quinte
• splint
• sprint
• squint
• stint

Kids Definition

lint

noun

ˈlint 

1

: loose fibers or bits of thread

2

: cotton entry 1 sense 1a

lintless

-ləs 

adjective

linty

-ē 

adjective

Medical Definition

lint

noun

ˈlint 

1

: a soft fleecy material used for poultices and dressings for wounds and made from linen usually by scraping

2

British : sterile cotton cloth used for dressings