lint

noun

ˈlint 

1

a

: a soft fleecy material made from linen usually by scraping

b

: fuzz consisting especially of fine ravelings and short fibers of yarn and fabric

2

: a fibrous coat of thick convoluted hairs borne by cotton seeds that yields the cotton staple

lintless

ˈlint-ləs 

adjective

linty

ˈlin-tē 

adjective

Synonyms of lint

• fur
• pile

Examples of lint in a Sentence

I always have lint in my pocket.

The clothes dryer was clogged with lint.

Recent Examples on the Web

Clean the Lint Trap Your washing machine has a filter that is similar to the lint trap in a dryer. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 June 2026

Let sit for a minute and then wipe with a lint-free cloth. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 19 June 2026

What’s more, tiny pieces of lint that do escape to the exterior of your home can be a problem. — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026

As temperatures drop and heating systems run longer, the dust, grease and lint quietly piling up in those spots become more dangerous, not less. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing lint

• lint roller

Rhymes for lint

• clint
• dint
• glint
• hint
• mint
• print
• quint
• quinte
• splint
• sprint
• squint
• stint

Kids Definition

lint

noun

ˈlint 

1

: loose fibers or bits of thread

2

: cotton entry 1 sense 1a

lintless

-ləs 

adjective

linty

-ē 

adjective

Medical Definition

lint

noun

ˈlint 

1

: a soft fleecy material used for poultices and dressings for wounds and made from linen usually by scraping

2

British : sterile cotton cloth used for dressings