linoleum

IPA/lɪˈnəʊliəm/
KK[lənˈoliəm]IPA/lɪˈnəʊliəm/

linoleum — noun

1. a hard-wearing material for covering floors, made from natural substances like l

1.nounB1
Definition

a hard-wearing material for covering floors, made from natural substances like linseed oil, cork powder, and wood flour, pressed onto a fabric backing and sold in rolls or tiles

Example

Yumi's grandmother had green linoleum in her kitchen for over forty years.

colour + material collocation: green linoleum

The old school hallway was covered in brown linoleum that shone after being polished.

passive: was covered in linoleum

Common collocations
  • linoleum floor
  • linoleum tiles
  • linoleum sheet
  • linoleum rug
  • strip of linoleum
  • roll of linoleum
  • lay linoleum
  • cut linoleum
  • polish linoleum
  • wax linoleum
Synonyms
  • vinyl flooring

    a synthetic plastic-based floor covering that is cheaper and more water-resistant than linoleum, but not made from natural materials

  • laminate flooring

    a multi-layer synthetic flooring product that looks like wood or stone, usually harder and less flexible than linoleum

  • cork flooring

    a natural floor covering made from cork oak bark, softer and more insulating than linoleum but less durable under heavy traffic

Grammar Patterns

linoleum + noun (e.g. linoleum floor)

a sheet / roll of linoleum

Usage Note

Linoleum is an uncountable mass noun; use 'a piece of' or 'a sheet of' to refer to a specific portion. In British informal English it is often shortened to 'lino', but this is rare in American English.

Common Mistakes

We need to buy a linoleum for the kitchen.
We need to buy linoleum for the kitchen.
Linoleum is uncountable, so do not use 'a' before it.
He installed vinyl thinking it was linoleum, but they are different materials.
He installed vinyl thinking it was linoleum, but the two materials are different.
'Vinyl' and 'linoleum' are often confused; linoleum is natural (linseed oil, cork), vinyl is synthetic (PVC).

Word family

  • lino
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Linoleum, vinyl, laminate, and cork are all used for covering floors, but they differ in material and feel. Linoleum is a natural product made from linseed oil, cork dust, and wood flour on a jute backing — it is durable, biodegradable, and develops a warm patina over time. Vinyl flooring (PVC) is a fully synthetic, waterproof alternative that is cheaper but less eco-friendly. Laminate flooring consists of a photographic layer glued onto a fibreboard core with a clear wear layer on top; it mimics wood or stone but can feel cold and hollow underfoot. Cork flooring comes from the bark of cork oak trees, is soft and warm to walk on, and absorbs sound well, but it dents more easily than linoleum. Example: 'We chose linoleum for the kitchen because it is durable and made from natural materials, whereas vinyl would have been cheaper but less sustainable.'

vinyl flooringlaminate flooringcork flooring

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Coined in the 1860s by the British inventor Frederick Walton, who combined Latin 'linum' (flax, the plant from which linseed oil is pressed) with 'oleum' (oil) to name his new floor covering. The name literally means 'linseed oil' — the key ingredient. Before linoleum, floors were covered with oilcloth or left bare; Walton's invention became wildly popular in the early 1900s as an affordable, washable floor surface.