linen

1 of 2

adjective

lin·​en ˈli-nən 

1

: made of flax

2

: made of or resembling linen

linen

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: cloth made of flax and noted for its strength, coolness, and luster

b

: thread or yarn spun from flax

2

: clothing or household articles made of linen cloth or similar fabric

3

: paper made from linen fibers or with a linen finish

Examples of linen in a Sentence

Noun

She washes the linen every week.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Eleven were in the clean linen storage room, and 13 packed the dry storage room. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

The company manufactures and sells organic cotton bed linens, blankets and bath towels, and is the first maker of such goods to be certified by Fair Trade USA, according to the company’s website. —Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025

Key classics for summer: white linen suit or just the trousers if the suit is too much; a navy high twist blazer can be worn with the white linen trousers for a riviera look. —Felicity Carter, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2025

Linen Shorts Everyone needs a trusty pair of linen shorts. —Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Old English līnen, from līn flax, from Latin linum flax; akin to Greek linon flax, thread

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing linen

• bed linen(s)
• table linen

Rhymes for linen

• kinin
• ninon
• pinon
• cholecystokinin
• cytokinin
• diazinon
• pangasinan

Kids Definition

linen

noun

lin·​en

ˈlin-ən

1

: smooth strong cloth or yarn made from flax

2

: household articles (as tablecloths or sheets) or clothing (as shirts or underwear) that were once often made of linen

linen adjective