yarn

American  

[yahrn] / yɑrn /

noun

1. thread made of natural or synthetic fibers and used for knitting and weaving.

2. a continuous strand or thread made from glass, metal, plastic, etc.

3. the thread, in the form of a loosely twisted aggregate of fibers, as of hemp, of which rope is made rope yarn.

4. a tale, especially a long story of adventure or incredible happenings.

   He spun a yarn that outdid any I had ever heard.

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verb (used without object)

1. Informal. to spin a yarn; tell stories.

yarn British  

/ jɑːn /

noun

1. a continuous twisted strand of natural or synthetic fibres, used in weaving, knitting, etc

2. informal a long and often involved story or account, usually telling of incredible or fantastic events

3. informal

   1. to tell such a story

   2. to make up or relate a series of excuses

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verb

1. (intr) to tell such a story or stories

yarn Idioms  

1. see spin a yarn.

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Etymology

Origin of yarn

before 1000; Middle English; Old English gearn; cognate with German Garn; akin to Old Norse gǫrn gut, Greek chordḗ intestine, chord ¹, Lithuanian žarnà entrails, Latin hernia a rupture, Sanskrit hirā vein

Example Sentences

Inside, there’s a great mix of yarn, art supplies, and classes if you’re feeling inspired.

From Salon

It’s like she pulled the end of a ball of yarn and it spills out on the table between us, a big, unorganized mess with no end or beginning.

From Literature

Former mill worker Linda McTigue worked in the building when she was 17 years old and worked in a department that made embroidery silk yarn.

From BBC

Coppola’s use of archival footage brings Jacobs’ yarns to life.

From Salon

“Smoglandia” is a great California yarn, and one with the ending still unwritten.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fleece
• thread
• wool