threadbare — worn thin or bare by long use; lacking freshness or novelty; hackneyed
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: worn thin or bare by long use; lacking freshness or novelty; hackneyed
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈθredber/
Example Sentences
- The professor's threadbare jokes about quantum physics made even the atoms yawn
- Her threadbare sofa had seen three generations of cats and countless Netflix marathons
- The politician's threadbare promises fooled no one this election cycle
threadbare
ADJECTIVE[/ˈθredber/]
worn thin or bare by long use; lacking freshness or novelty; hackneyed
an elderly tailor holds up an old suit jacket to examine it under the shop light. The fabric is so thin that his fingers are visible through multiple worn spots. Years of wear have left the material frayed at the edges and transparent in several places. The jacket's original pattern has faded to barely recognizable colors. A young customer nearby looks disappointed as she realizes the jacket cannot be repaired. Another worn coat hanging on a nearby rack shows similar deterioration from long use. clothing worn thin and bare by extensive use over time
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English, literally meaning cloth worn so thin that the individual threads become visible and bare. The figurative sense of 'worn-out' or 'hackneyed' developed in the 16th century.
Breakdown
thread (yarn/fiber) + bare (naked/exposed) - describing fabric worn down to its basic threads
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The professor's threadbare jokes about quantum physics made even the atoms yawn”
“Her threadbare sofa had seen three generations of cats and countless Netflix marathons”
“The politician's threadbare promises fooled no one this election cycle”
“His threadbare dignity hung on him like an old coat in the rain”
📚Related Words
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