WordGarden.iolinen
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈɪnɪn/
US
- /ˈlɪnən/
Meanings
Noun
cloth or thread made from flax fiber
household cloth items such as sheets, pillowcases, and tablecloths
Adjective
made of linen cloth
Beyond the definition
Linen is not just something you find in your closet. It is a story woven from the fibers of the flax plant. For centuries, it has been valued for its strength, cool feel, and ability to absorb moisture. Think of crisp white tablecloths at a nice restaurant, breezy summer shirts that help you stay cool, or even the strong sails once used on old ships.
Originally, "linen" referred specifically to fabric made from flax. Today, "linens" is also used as a general word for household cloth items such as sheets, pillowcases, tablecloths, and napkins, even when they are not made from flax. You might say your grandmother has a beautiful set of linens for special occasions, or that you prefer sleeping on linen sheets because they breathe so well. It is a fabric with a long history, often linked with comfort and quality.
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Unlike cotton, which requires a lot of water to grow, flax thrives with less, making linen a more sustainable choice. Historically, it is one of the oldest known textiles—fragments have been found dating back thousands of years! Ancient Egyptians used linen for everything from clothing and burial shrouds to sails and fishing nets.
Today, linen is still valued for its unique properties: it's incredibly strong (stronger than cotton!), breathable, absorbent, and gets softer with each wash. This makes it ideal for warm-weather clothing like shirts, dresses, and trousers. You'll often see linen blends used in summer garments to add comfort and improve how the fabric drapes.
But linen isn't limited to fashion. It's also a popular choice for household textiles—tablecloths, napkins, bedsheets, and towels. High-quality linen is known for its elegant appearance and durability. In fact, the term "linen closet" specifically refers to the dedicated space where you store these fine household fabrics!
Interestingly, "linen" can also refer to high-quality paper made from linen fibers, often used for stationery or archival documents due to its strength and longevity. So, whether it's adorning your table, clothing your body, or preserving important records, linen is a versatile material with a rich history and enduring appeal.
Examples
- 1
Summer clothing
She wore a white linen shirt in the summer heat.
- 2
Fabric quality
This jacket is made of linen, so it wrinkles easily.
- 3
Table setting
The table was covered with a clean linen cloth.
- 4
Hotel bedding
The hotel changes the bed linen every morning.
- Phrasebed linen
sheets and pillowcases for a bed
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Household cloths
There are fresh towels and extra linens in the closet.
- 6
Wedding setting
They chose plain linen napkins instead of paper ones for the wedding.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- linennoun
Forms
- linenspluralnoun