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

This cotton-linen maxi shirt dress drapes beautifully while still having some structure. —Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

Michael Kors is offering two special-edition T-shirts made from a blend of cotton and linen and designed to support the World Food Programme. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025

Cotton or linen blends work if treated with a water-repellant finish (like Scotchgard), while Polyester, nylon, or olefin (polypropylene) are strong, budget-friendly, and inherently stain resistant. —Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Oct. 2025

Elliatt Maris Maxi Dress Just like a linen dress is an Italian summer essential, denim dresses are made for fall in Italy. —Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 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