Threadbare

Pronunciation: /θrɛdˌbɛr/

Definitions of threadbare

adjective worn to the point of being thin and tattered

Example Sentences

A1 The old man wore a threadbare coat.

A2 The threadbare rug in the living room needed to be replaced.

B1 The threadbare curtains let in too much light.

B2 The threadbare sofa had seen better days.

C1 Despite its threadbare appearance, the book was a valuable first edition.

C2 The threadbare excuse he gave for being late was not convincing.

Examples of threadbare in a Sentence

formal The threadbare curtains in the old mansion were in desperate need of replacement.

informal I can't believe you're still wearing those threadbare jeans from high school.

slang Her excuse for being late was so threadbare, nobody believed her.

figurative The threadbare relationship between the two countries was on the brink of collapse.

Grammatical Forms of threadbare

• past tense: threadbared
• plural: threadbares
• comparative: more threadbare
• superlative: most threadbare
• present tense: threadbare
• future tense: will be threadbare
• perfect tense: have threadbare
• continuous tense: is threadbare
• singular: threadbare
• positive degree: threadbare
• infinitive: to threadbare
• gerund: threadbaring
• participle: threadbareing

Origin and Evolution of threadbare

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'threadbare' originated from Old English, where 'thread' referred to a thin strand of fiber and 'bær' meant bare or uncovered.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'threadbare' evolved to describe something that is worn out or frayed due to excessive use, losing its original connotation of simply being uncovered or thinly covered.