lint

noun \ˈlint\

: tiny pieces of cloth or another soft material

: a soft material that is used for covering and protecting cuts and wounds

Full Definition of LINT

a : a soft fleecy material made from linen usually by scraping

b : fuzz consisting especially of fine ravelings and short fibers of yarn and fabric

: a fibrous coat of thick convoluted hairs borne by cotton seeds that yields the cotton staple

— lint·less \-ləs\ adjective

— linty \ˈlin-tē\ adjective

See lint defined for English-language learners

See lint defined for kids

Origin of LINT

Middle English

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to LINT

Synonyms: down, floss, fluff, fur, ¹fuzz, nap, pile

Rhymes with LINT

bint, dint, flint, glint, hint, mint, print, quint, skint, splint, sprint, squint, stint, suint, tint

LINTLESS Defined for Kids

lint

noun \ˈlint\

Definition of LINT for Kids

: loose bits of thread

: cotton 1

Word History of LINT

Lint is usually something we try to get rid of—from our clothes, or from the lint filters of clothes dryers. Centuries ago, however, soft bits of fuzz and fluff—in Middle English lint or lynet—were considered useful as a dressing for wounds, and were collected by scraping the fuzz off linen cloth. The origin of the word lint is uncertain, though it surely has some relationship to Middle English lin, “flax” or “cloth made from flax, linen.”

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