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

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes multiple daily servings of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, legumes, olive oil, seafood, and nuts and seeds, such as chia, flax, pumpkin and sesame. —Linda Carroll, NBC news, 2 June 2025

It’s made in Portugal, and the linen itself is woven from premium flax sourced from Belgium and France. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 24 May 2025

The material is woven from a medium-to-lightweight European flax which is ideal for year-round comfort (layer up in the winter!). —Gina Vaynshteyn, StyleCaster, 23 May 2025

Crafted with 70 percent linen and 30 percent cotton spun from French flax, the curtains’ outward facing panel appears light and airy, while the opposite side has a blackout liner. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 18 May 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