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

Architect Brent Buck first met Whit Bernard and Freya Zaheer in a cornfield wearing a flannel shirt. — Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 22 Oct. 2026

Plus, shop discounts on quarter-zip pullovers and flannels in multiple colors to consider Dad sorted. — ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026

While Ivan was always in jeans and checked flannel and boots. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

The lineup includes lightweight and comfortable pieces such as denim, sneakers and sportswear staples such as flannel check shirts. — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 14 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