Definition

A strong and easy-to-clean material used for flooring, made from a mixture of linseed oil, cork, and other substances pressed onto a backing.

Example

The kitchen floor was covered with colorful linoleum that was easy to maintain.

Conversation

Have you ever thought about using linoleum for your kitchen floor?

I have! It seems really easy to clean.

Yeah, and it's also pretty durable for high-traffic areas.

Exactly, I think it could really brighten up the space!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Linoleum is derived from "linum" (meaning flax) and "oleum" (meaning oil). The word refers to a material made from flax oil, which is used for flooring.

Memory Tip

Think of 'flax' ('linum') and 'oil' ('oleum') coming together to create a flooring material — that's what linoleum is.

Visually Confused Words