flannel

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noun flan·nel \ˈfla-n^É™l\

: a soft cloth made of wool or cotton

flannels : pants made of flannel

: foolish or meaningless words

Full Definition of FLANNEL

1

a :  a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture and a slightly napped surface

b :  a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel

c :  a stout cotton fabric usually napped on one side

2

plural

a :  flannel underwear

b :  outer garments of flannel; especially :  men's trousers

3

British :  washcloth

4

British :  flattering or evasive talk; also :  nonsense, rubbish

— flannel adjective

— flan·nel·ly \-n^É™l-Ä“\ adjective

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Examples of FLANNEL

1. shirts made of bright-colored flannel
2. He wore a dark blazer and gray flannels.

Origin of FLANNEL

Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment

First Known Use: 1503

Related to FLANNEL

Synonyms

adulation, blarney, butter, flattery [British], incense, overpraise, soft soap, sweet talk, taffy

Related Words

allurements, blandishments, endearments; caresses, compliments, congratulations, felicitations, greetings, regards, respects; adoration, idolatry, worship; fawning, sycophancy, toadying; cajolement, cajolery, ingratiation, smarm; acclaim, applause, commendation, praise

Near Antonyms

bad-mouthing, belittlement, depreciation, detraction, disparagement, put-down

Rhymes with FLANNEL

channel, panel, scrannel