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

Tall and thin, bordering on gaunt, he was dressed in blue jeans, a flannel shirt, an old Army jacket, work boots, gloves and a blue wool cap. —Alanna Nash, Variety, 4 Mar. 2025

The artist and producer also wore the house’s Stevie Pant with a charcoal cotton cashmere flannel Abbe shirt. —Essence, 24 Feb. 2025

Needed are new and gently used sweaters, jackets, sweatshirts, flannel shirts and jeans/pants. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

Most flannel shirts are machine washable and dryer-friendly. —Theresa Holland, Travel + Leisure, 11 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for flannel

• annal
• annul
• cannel
• channel
• panel
• pannel
• multichannel
• perianal

Kids Definition

flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈflan-ᵊl 

1

: a soft cloth made of wool or cotton

2

plural : flannel underwear or trousers