Threadbare
adjective
Worn-out, particularly from being used or worn repeatedly for a long period of time.
The old man's clothes were threadbare and worn out.
Often appears as...
- threadbare clothes
- threadbare carpet
adjective
Lacking in freshness or originality.
His threadbare excuses were not convincing anyone anymore.
Often appears as...
- threadbare idea
- threadbare excuses
adjective
Having very little money and possessions.
He came from a threadbare family, but through hard work, he became successful.
Often appears as...
- threadbare existence
- threadbare family
adjective
Worn-out, particularly from being used or worn repeatedly for a long period of time.
The old man's clothes were threadbare and worn out.
Often appears as...
- threadbare clothes
- threadbare carpet
adjective
Lacking in freshness or originality.
His threadbare excuses were not convincing anyone anymore.
Often appears as...
- threadbare idea
- threadbare excuses
adjective
Having very little money and possessions.
He came from a threadbare family, but through hard work, he became successful.
Often appears as...
- threadbare existence
- threadbare family
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Wear
Refers to the actual condition of an object, being frayed or having thin fabric.
After years of use, the blanket became threadbare.
Pro Tip 2/3Economic Status
Implies limited finances when describing clothing or belongings.
She wore threadbare jackets, unable to afford new ones.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Imagery
Evoke a vivid image of wear or age in objects, often nostalgic.
The threadbare teddy bear witnessed every stage of his childhood.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Wear
Refers to the actual condition of an object, being frayed or having thin fabric.
After years of use, the blanket became threadbare.
Pro Tip 2/3Economic Status
Implies limited finances when describing clothing or belongings.
She wore threadbare jackets, unable to afford new ones.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Imagery
Evoke a vivid image of wear or age in objects, often nostalgic.
The threadbare teddy bear witnessed every stage of his childhood.
Pro Tip 1/3Physical Wear
Refers to the actual condition of an object, being frayed or having thin fabric.
After years of use, the blanket became threadbare.
Pro Tip 2/3Economic Status
Implies limited finances when describing clothing or belongings.
She wore threadbare jackets, unable to afford new ones.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Imagery
Evoke a vivid image of wear or age in objects, often nostalgic.
The threadbare teddy bear witnessed every stage of his childhood.
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Quote examples
Mark Fisher
British Writer
The discussion of 'V for Vendetta' - on Pinocchio Theory in particular - has been far more interesting than the film deserved. Yes, there is a certain frission in seeing a major Hollywood movie refusing to unequivocally condemn terrorism, but the political analysis in the film (as in the original comic) is really rather threadbare.
Quote examples
Orison Swett Marden
American Writer
Economize in other things if you must, wear threadbare clothes if necessary, but never cheat your body or brain by the quality and quantity of your food. Poor, cheap food which produces low vitality and inferior brain force is the worst kind of economy.
Quote examples
Sam Kean
American Writer
The mutated Marfan gene creates a defective version of fibrillin, a protein that provides structural support for soft tissues like blood vessels. Marfan victims often die young, in fact, after their aortas grow threadbare and rupture.
Quote examples
Gabrielle Anwar
English Actress
I have this threadbare caftan from the '60s that I got at a vintage store years ago - it's basically a muumuu. My friends are astonished that I wear it, but I love it. It's this light fabric that just moves with me.
Quote examples
Leila Janah
American Businesswoman
Every woman that dies or loses her baby on a threadbare cot in the heart of Uganda, while her sisters on the other side of the world enjoy first-class care, is a threat to our collective humanity.
Quote examples
Philip Kerr
British Author
Publishers just want you to write the same book over and over again. But why would I want to do that? It would be like putting on a threadbare dressing-gown day after day.
Quote examples
William Watson
English Poet
Yes, threadbare seem his songs, to lettered ken - they were worn threadbare next the hearts of men.
Quote examples
Thomas Dekker
English Dramatist
This age thinks better of a gilded fool Than of a threadbare saint in wisdom's school.
Quote examples
Fiona Shaw
Irish Actress
Acting doesn't have to be threadbare misery all the time.
Quote examples
Mark Fisher
British Writer
The discussion of 'V for Vendetta' - on Pinocchio Theory in particular - has been far more interesting than the film deserved. Yes, there is a certain frission in seeing a major Hollywood movie refusing to unequivocally condemn terrorism, but the political analysis in the film (as in the original comic) is really rather threadbare.
Quote examples
Orison Swett Marden
American Writer
Economize in other things if you must, wear threadbare clothes if necessary, but never cheat your body or brain by the quality and quantity of your food. Poor, cheap food which produces low vitality and inferior brain force is the worst kind of economy.
Quote examples
Sam Kean
American Writer
The mutated Marfan gene creates a defective version of fibrillin, a protein that provides structural support for soft tissues like blood vessels. Marfan victims often die young, in fact, after their aortas grow threadbare and rupture.
Quote examples
Gabrielle Anwar
English Actress
I have this threadbare caftan from the '60s that I got at a vintage store years ago - it's basically a muumuu. My friends are astonished that I wear it, but I love it. It's this light fabric that just moves with me.
Quote examples
Leila Janah
American Businesswoman
Every woman that dies or loses her baby on a threadbare cot in the heart of Uganda, while her sisters on the other side of the world enjoy first-class care, is a threat to our collective humanity.
Quote examples
Philip Kerr
British Author
Publishers just want you to write the same book over and over again. But why would I want to do that? It would be like putting on a threadbare dressing-gown day after day.
Quote examples
William Watson
English Poet
Yes, threadbare seem his songs, to lettered ken - they were worn threadbare next the hearts of men.
Quote examples
Thomas Dekker
English Dramatist
This age thinks better of a gilded fool Than of a threadbare saint in wisdom's school.
Quote examples
Fiona Shaw
Irish Actress
Acting doesn't have to be threadbare misery all the time.
Example 1 of 9
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