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

• adulation
• blarney
• butter
• flattery
• incense
• overpraise
• soft soap
• sweet talk
• taffy

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

Buy something fun and extremely nerdy Lots of places discount their Star Wars merch and/or release exclusives on May 4, and StarWars.com has a roundup of all the coolest stuff, from Chewbacca flannel shirts and Hoth mini backpacks to a Grogu ring and R2-D2 Clip Charm. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 3 May 2025

Comments Every time a flannel shirt is worn into the wilderness, the influence of Leon Lennonwood Bean is at play. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2025

As Doc Odd’s dad-bod doppelgänger, Jackson opts for modest flannel and a shaggier haircut. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025

Who is this Italian Luke Danes in the flannel and baseball cap? —Emma Specter, Vogue, 2 May 2025

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