flannel

noun

flan·​nel ˈfla-nᵊl How to pronounce flannel (audio)
Synonyms of flannelnext
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 How to pronounce flannel (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of flannel

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Fall at Apple Hill usually means flannels, boots and crisp mountain air. — Brady Halbleib, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 The buttons on his flannel are undone to allow access to the port on his chest, covered with a bandage. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026 As for Grant, few leading men ever looked so dashing in that ’50s ad man uniform of a gray flannel suit. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026 Like a matador swirling his cape, Patrick Roden-Reynolds pulled a swatch of white flannel this way and that on the grass and leaf litter in my yard. — Bob Drogin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flannel

Word History

Etymology

Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment

First Known Use

1503, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flannel was in 1503

Phrases Containing flannel

Rhymes for flannel

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Browse Nearby Words

flanned
flannel
flannel board
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Cite this Entry

“Flannel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flannel. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

flannel

noun
flan·​nel ˈflan-ᵊl How to pronounce flannel (audio)
1
: a soft cloth made of wool or cotton
2
plural : flannel underwear or trousers

More from Merriam-Webster on flannel

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flannel

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