Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

kleenex

/ˈkli.nɛks/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.69 in modern English

Syllables: kleenex
IPA: /ˈkli.nɛks/

18

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A disposable tissue.

Canadian usage; American usage

noun

Alternative form of kleenex.

Example Sentences

"Could you hand me a kleenex? My nose is running."
"She wipes some drivel from his chin with a Kleenex, which she throws away in the bin, then sits and clasps his hand in hers."
"James Cameron stood up and asked Céline, “How did you feel about the movie?” Céline held up her Kleenex. And it was completely tattered, because she’d been crying so much."

Etymology

By genericization from the name of brand of tissues trademarked by Cellucotton Products Company (now Kimberly-Clark) in 1924–25. Alteration of clean + -ex.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: clean

Usage

Canadian usage
American usage

Inflected Forms

kleenexes (plural) kleenices (humorous, plural)

Phrases

Kleenex testing

Synonyms

facial tissue tissue

Questions

How do you pronounce kleenex?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkli.nɛks/.
What does kleenex mean?: A disposable tissue.
Where does kleenex come from?: By genericization from the name of brand of tissues trademarked by Cellucotton Products Company (now Kimberly-Clark) in 1924–25. Alteration of clean + -ex.

How to pronounce kleenex

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “kleenex”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkli.nɛks/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “kleenex”.
Repeat and practice — Say “kleenex” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.