flax

1 of 2

noun

ˈflaks How to pronounce flax (audio)
often attributive
1
: any of a genus (Linum of the family Linaceae, the flax family) of herbs
especially : a slender erect annual (L. usitatissimum) with blue flowers commonly cultivated for its bast fiber and seed
2
: the fiber of the flax plant especially when prepared for spinning
3
: any of several plants resembling flax
flaxy
ˈflak-sē How to pronounce flax (audio)
adjective

flaxy

2 of 2

adjective

ˈflaksē How to pronounce flaxy (audio)
-er/-est
: resembling flax especially in texture : flaxen

Examples of flax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Cultiver’s 100% European flax linen panels put the fabric’s lighter side on full display, woven at just 130 GSM to create an airy drape that softly diffuses sunlight instead of blocking it. — Nina Derwin, Architectural Digest, 14 Aug. 2026 How to Deadhead Flowers with Many Small Blooms These include coreopsis, feverfew, golden marguerites, lobelia, sweet alyssum, smaller mums, potentilla, flax, aster, blanket flower, and ageratum. — Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 Multigrain breads often combine several grains like wheat, oats, barley, or millet, with seeds like flax, sunflower, sesame, or pumpkin, but what’s key is whether those ingredients are listed as whole grains, Lorenz says. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 26 July 2026 It’s stitched with a waffle-weave fabric in a warm, natural flax color, and its materials are breathable enough to stay cool all night in hot weather. — Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flax

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English fleax; akin to Old High German flahs flax, Latin plectere to braid — more at ply

Adjective

flax + -y

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of flax was before the 12th century

Rhymes for flax

See All Rhymes for flax

Browse Nearby Words

flawy
flax
flax bellflower
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flax. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

flax

noun
ˈflaks How to pronounce flax (audio)
: a slender plant with blue flowers that is grown for its fiber from which linen is made and for its seed from which oil and livestock feed are obtained
also : its fiber

More from Merriam-Webster on flax

Nglish: Translation of flax for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flax

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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