lint

1 of 2

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

linty

2 of 2

adjective

ˈlintē 

-er/-est

: like lint : full of or covered with lint

Synonyms of lint

Noun

• fur
• pile

Examples of lint in a Sentence

Noun

I always have lint in my pocket.

The clothes dryer was clogged with lint.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

How Washing Machine Seals Collect Grime A washing machine door seal is a prime spot for grime to accumulate because the seal’s tight folds trap hair, lint, and other debris. — Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2026

Set your iron to its lowest setting—no steam—and place the stained area between two paper towels or lint-free cloths. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Additional Tips for Washing Throw Blankets Schrader suggests shaking the throw blankets out regularly, removing lint or pet hair with a fabric brush, and airing throws out outside on a nice day to help keep throws in between washes. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 18 Sep. 2026

Brush lint, hair and surface debris from coats, wool and structured pieces. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

Middle English

First Known Use

Noun

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