# floss

/ˈfɫɑs/ (US) · /flˈɒs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/floss
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. dental thread

noun · CEFR B1

a special thin thread you use to clean the spaces between your teeth.

For teachers: a soft, strong thread used to clean between the teeth and under the gumline.

- The dentist told me that using floss every night is just as important as brushing.
- Regular use of dental floss is essential for removing plaque from interdental spaces where a toothbrush cannot reach.

### 3. dance move

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a popular dance move where you swing your arms quickly from front to back around your body.

For teachers: a dance move involving rapid swinging of the arms with clenched fists behind and in front of the torso.

- The kids were all doing the floss on the playground after the video went viral.
- The floss became a global phenomenon among younger demographics after being featured in popular video games and social media challenges.

### 4. spun sugar

noun · CEFR B1 · British English

a sweet snack made of thin threads of sugar, usually sold at fairs.

For teachers: a light, fluffy sweet made of spun sugar, typically served on a stick.

- We bought a large stick of pink candy floss at the summer fair.
- The vendor at the carnival was expertly spinning candy floss for a long queue of excited children.

### 5. to clean teeth

verb · CEFR B1

to clean between your teeth using a thin thread.

For teachers: to clean the interdental spaces of the teeth using dental floss.

- You should floss at least once a day to keep your gums healthy.
- Patients who floss daily demonstrate significantly lower rates of gingivitis compared to those who only brush.

### 6. to show off

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang

to show off your money, expensive things, or talent to make others notice you.

For teachers: to behave ostentatiously; to show off one's wealth, possessions, or achievements.

- He was just trying to floss by wearing all that expensive jewellery to the party.
- The lyrics often describe characters who floss their wealth to establish social status within their community.

## Examples

- You should use floss every night before you go to bed.
- The dentist recommended a specific brand of waxed floss to help clean the narrow gaps between my back molars.
- Regular use of dental floss is clinically proven to reduce the incidence of gingivitis by disrupting the bacterial colonies that thrive in areas inaccessible to standard toothbrush bristles.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.