flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈfla-nᵊl 

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

flannels 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

flannelly

ˈfla-nᵊl-ē 

adjective

Synonyms of flannel

• butter
• taffy
• flattery
• soft soap

Examples of flannel in a Sentence

shirts made of bright-colored flannel

He wore a dark blazer and gray flannels.

Recent Examples on the Web

Comfort is key, so our picks range from soft and cozy sweater dresses to on-trend drawstring pants, plus flannels and Fair Isle sweaters for warmth. — ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026

The maid-servant has just dipped a flannel into the white basin of water at her feet and is now holding the flannel up to wash Mary’s face. — Artforum, 4 Nov. 2026

Related Standing in front of a stone wall and dressed in a flannel shirt, Springsteen delivered a direct appeal to those overseeing the electoral process. — Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2026

Capture the film’s 1980s and 1990s rural Maine aesthetic with relaxed-fit jeans, flannel shirts and a puffer vest or vintage leather bomber jacket. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing flannel

• Canton flannel
• red flannel hash

Rhymes for flannel

• annal
• annul
• cannel
• channel
• panel
• pannel
• multichannel
• perianal

Kids Definition

flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈflan-ᵊl 

1

: a soft cloth made of wool or cotton

2

plural : flannel underwear or trousers