flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈfla-nᵊl 

1

a

: a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture and a slightly napped surface

b

: a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel

c

: a stout cotton fabric usually napped on one side

2

flannels plural

a

: flannel underwear

b

: outer garments of flannel

especially : men's trousers

3

British : washcloth

4

British : flattering or evasive talk

also : nonsense, rubbish

flannel adjective

flannelly

ˈfla-nᵊl-ē 

adjective

Synonyms

• adulation
• blarney
• butter
• flattery
• incense
• overpraise
• soft soap
• sweet talk
• taffy

Examples of flannel in a Sentence

shirts made of bright-colored flannel

He wore a dark blazer and gray flannels.

Recent Examples on the Web

His trademark has become trompe l’oeil looks that gave leather the appearance of flannel shirts, paper grocery bags and denim jeans, among much else. —Leah Dolan, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024

She is dressed in full Western gear, including a cowboy hat, a white tank top, blue jeans with an oversized belt buckle, and a flannel shirt tied around her waist. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Tried everything from space heaters to flannel sheets to try and beat the chill that creeps into your home each winter night? —Nicol Natale, People.com, 9 Dec. 2024

Set in suburban Pittsburgh, the coming-of-age drama starred Claire Danes as Angela Chase, an angsty 15-year-old sophomore with a wardrobe of flannel and hair dyed a Manic Panic red. —Meredith Blake, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing flannel

• canton flannel
• red flannel hash

Kids Definition

flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈflan-ᵊl 

1

: a soft cloth made of wool or cotton

2

plural : flannel underwear or trousers