floss: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to informal, depending on sense.
Quick answer
What does “floss” mean?
A soft thread, often waxed, used for cleaning between teeth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A soft thread, often waxed, used for cleaning between teeth.
Any soft, silky material resembling dental floss; the act of cleaning between teeth; (informal, especially UK) trivial, insubstantial, or pretentious talk or ideas.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'candy floss' = US 'cotton candy'. 'Floss' as slang for trivial/pretentious talk is primarily UK. The verb for using dental floss is standard in both.
Connotations
In the UK, 'floss' can have negative connotations (silly, pretentious) outside the dental context. In the US, connotations are almost exclusively dental/hygiene-related.
Frequency
The dental sense is equally common in both. The UK slang sense is moderately common in informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “floss” in a Sentence
to floss (something) (e.g., floss your teeth)N + floss (e.g., dental floss)floss + N (e.g., floss threader)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “floss” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You should floss at least once a day.
- He dismissed the idea as just flossing.
American English
- Did you floss after your meal?
- The hygienist showed her how to floss properly.
adverb
British English
- He spoke flossily about his 'artistic vision'. (rare, informal)
American English
- (Rarely used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- It was a flossy, insubstantial argument.
- The candy floss machine whirred into life.
American English
- She bought a new floss pick for her travel kit.
- The floss threader is helpful with braces.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in marketing for oral care products.
Academic
Rare, used in dentistry/health sciences.
Everyday
Common in contexts of personal hygiene and at fairs/carnivals (candy floss).
Technical
Specific to dentistry (types of floss, techniques).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “floss”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “floss”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “floss”
- Using 'floss' as a general synonym for 'thread'. Forgetting to use the definite article: 'Use floss' not 'Use a floss'. Confusing 'floss' (verb) with 'brush'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a material (the thread), it is uncountable (e.g., 'a piece of floss'). As a product, it can be countable (e.g., 'I bought three flosses').
'Floss' alone primarily means dental floss. 'Candy floss' (UK) is the spun sugar confection called 'cotton candy' in the US.
No, the pejorative slang sense meaning trivial or pretentious talk is almost exclusively British English.
Yes, informally, especially in UK English ('flossy talk'). In US English, it's mostly used in compound nouns ('floss threader').
A soft thread, often waxed, used for cleaning between teeth.
Floss is usually neutral to informal, depending on sense. in register.
Floss: in British English it is pronounced /flɒs/, and in American English it is pronounced /flɔːs/ or /flɑːs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Candy floss (UK): Something attractive but insubstantial or of little value. (e.g., 'The plot was just candy floss.')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FLOSS: For Leaving Out Stuck Stuff (between your teeth).
Conceptual Metaphor
CLEANLINESS IS PURITY / HEALTH; INSUBSTANTIALITY IS LIGHTNESS (candy floss).
Practice
Quiz
What is the PRIMARY meaning of 'floss' as a verb?