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Definition of linen

linen

/ˈlɪn.ən/
lin · en

Plural:linens
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linen Lexical Profile

linen Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A strong, highly absorbent woven fabric manufactured from the fibers of the flax plant.

Example

"She bought a lightweight dress made of pure linen to stay cool during the humid summer."


2

Household items such as bedsheets, tablecloths, or towels, traditionally made from flax but now commonly made of cotton or synthetic blends.

Example

"The hotel maid arrived at noon to change the bed linens and provide fresh towels."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for linen

Word Nuance & Usage

While strictly referring to fabric woven from flax, the plural form 'linens' is commonly used as a generic term for household articles like sheets, towels, and tablecloths, regardless of their actual material composition.

• Rhymes for linen

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Old English 'līnen' (made of flax), originating from 'līn' (flax) combined with the material suffix '-en'. It traces back to Latin 'linum' and Greek 'linon'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Linen. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/linen
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