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needle — a thin, pointed piece of metal used for sewing

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a thin, pointed piece of metal used for sewing

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈniːdəl/

Example Sentences

  • Finding a parking spot downtown is like finding a needle in a haystack.
  • My grandmother can thread a needle without glasses - it's her superpower!
  • The acupuncture needles were so thin I barely felt them.

needle

NOUN

[/ˈniːdəl/]

a thin, pointed piece of metal used for sewing

The tailor carefully threaded a needle before sewing the shirt.
💡 Concept

The tailor carefully threaded a needle before sewing the shirt.

She needed a little needle to fix the torn pocket. (NEED + LITTLE → you need a little tool to sew)
🧠 Mnemonic

She needed a little needle to fix the torn pocket. (NEED + LITTLE → you need a little tool to sew)

A needle fell beside a beetle, and a curious poodle sniffed at both.
🎵 Rhyme

A needle fell beside a beetle, and a curious poodle sniffed at both.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈniːdəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈniːdəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootneedle

Origin

The word originates from Old English 'nǣdl', which derives from the common ancestor language of the Germanic language family. This ancient term reflects humanity's long history of using needles as tools.

Breakdown

Old English 'nǣdl' evolved into Middle English and then Modern English 'needle', with the vowel sound shifting through regular sound changes (nǣdl → needle) characteristic of Germanic language development.

🎵Rhyme

beetle
wheedle

🔗Collocations

thread a needle
needle and thread
hypodermic needle
needle in a haystack
knitting needles
compass needle
needle exchange

📝Examples

“Finding a parking spot downtown is like finding a needle in a haystack.”

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother can thread a needle without glasses - it's her superpower!”

“The acupuncture needles were so thin I barely felt them.”

“My brother keeps needling me about my terrible cooking skills.”

😄 Fun example

“She dropped her contact lens - it was like looking for a needle in a haystack on the bathroom floor.”

📚Related Words

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