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Threadbare describes things that are so old you can see their threads.
How about a word for things so old they're all dried up? It starts with W.
(Both threadbare and this other word can be used figuratively.)
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"THREADBARE"
When clothes and other items are threadbare, they're so old and worn-out that you can see their threads. (These items bare their threads.)
Figuratively, something threadbare reminds you of a worn-out item: it's boring, dull, weak OR not impressive.
Pronunciation:
THRED bear
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "a threadbare thing."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was threadbare.")
Other forms:
threadbareness
How to use it:
You can talk about literally threadbare things: threadbare pajama pants, a threadbare quilt, this threadbare tablecloth, a rug beaten threadbare by decades of use, the frat house's threadbare couches.
Figuratively threadbare things include jokes, story plots, phrases, comments or insults, arguments or claims, customer service, government assistance, etc. An idea, plan, or leader might have threadbare support. And someone's authority, or a belief, or a trend may be growing threadbare.
When you use this word figuratively, sometimes you carry the metaphor further and talk about mending, repairing, patching up, tossing out, or replacing whatever it is you're calling threadbare.
examples:
I'm waiting until my daughter is old enough to appreciate it before I give her my own threadbare Cabbage Patch Kid.
Why did George kill Lenny? How is Iago a hypocrite? Were Romeo and Juliet really in love or was it infatuation? Sigh. We can do better than these threadbare essay topics.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "threadbare" means when you can explain it without saying "well-worn" or "trite."
try it out:
Think of a story with a predictable plot. It might be a book, a movie, or a TV episode. Fill in the blanks: "Not even (something particularly good) (in a specific story) could compensate for its threadbare plot."
Example: "Not even Meg Ryan's quirky, adorable character in You've Got Mail could compensate for its threadbare plot."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we’re playing with anagrams: rearrangements of the letters in a word to form new words. (For example, “care” has two anagrams: “acre” and “race.”) Looking for these makes you a stronger player in other word games. But more importantly, it helps you practice thinking flexibly and methodically. Plus you get to giggle at potential non-words and discover new real words. We’ll work our way from shorter to longer anagrams. And at any point if you wonder why I left out a word you wanted to list, or why I included a word you think isn’t a real one, hold your fire: our authority for this game is ScrabbleWordFinder.org, which draws from a highly inclusive dictionary. Let’s play!
From yesterday: What is the 1 anagram for TULIP?
Answer: UPLIT. Although not all dictionaries acknowledge it, "uplit" is the simple past and past participle of "uplight."
Try this one today: What is the 1 anagram for APPEND?
review today's word:
1. One opposite of THREADBARE is
A. NEW
B. TIDY
C. STOCK
2. The speaker's threadbare jokes met with equally _____ laughter.
A. uproarious
B. sardonic
C. weak
Answers are below.
a final word:
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. A
2. C
Threadbare describes things that are so old you can see their threads.
"THREADBARE" When clothes and other items are threadbare, they're so old and worn-out that you can see their threads. (These items bare their threads.) Pronunciation: Part of speech:
I'm waiting until my daughter is old enough to appreciate it before I give her my own threadbare Cabbage Patch Kid.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "threadbare" means when you can explain it without saying "well-worn" or "trite."
Think of a story with a predictable plot. It might be a book, a movie, or a TV episode. Fill in the blanks: "Not even (something particularly good) (in a specific story) could compensate for its threadbare plot."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. One opposite of THREADBARE is
To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
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