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

• down
• floss
• fluff
• fur
• fuzz
• nap
• 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

In a non-hurricane year, Fulford expects to harvest 1,200 pounds of cotton lint per acre. —Rose Schnabel, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025

Two words, tossed like lint, still hanging in the air thirty years later—flattening a woman, erasing her intent, and echoing a feeling Black women know too well. —Noel Ransome, Essence, 15 May 2025

Occasionally, use a flexible lint brush or a crevice vacuum attachment to clean the lint trap, the slot where the screen fits. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 May 2025

There also isn’t a lint trap, but a monthly draining process removes lint and hair. —Kate Oczypok, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

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

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