yarn

1 of 2

noun

ˈyärn How to pronounce yarn (audio)
Synonyms of yarnnext
1
a
: a continuous often plied strand composed of either natural or man-made fibers or filaments and used in weaving and knitting to form cloth
b
: a similar strand of another material (such as metal, glass, or plastic)
2
[from the idiom spin a yarn "to tell a tale"] : a narrative of adventures
especially : a tall tale
a roaring good yarn

yarn

2 of 2

verb

yarned; yarning; yarns

intransitive verb

: to tell a yarn
yarner noun

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of yarn in a Sentence

Noun The sheep's wool will be spun into yarn. yarns about ghosts and goblins a storyteller who spins yarns that will keep any audience riveted
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The combination of yarn spinning techniques and fiber selection powers AGI Denim’s new Soft Serve collection. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Oct. 2024 There’s a whole world of yarn out there in different colors, patterns and sizes. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 24 Oct. 2024
Verb
Reconciliation Week often inspired little more than sarcastic quips, side-eyes and giggles while yarning in our cramped family living room, the waiting areas of our local Aboriginal Medical Service and the common areas at University Indigenous institutes. —Phoebe McIlwraith, refinery29.com, 30 May 2024 Notably, the company has complete control of its entire production supply chain from the fleece to yarn to ensure and certify the quality and craftsmanship of its fabrics. —WWD, 9 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for yarn 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English yerne, yarne "spun fiber," going back to Old English gearn, going back to Germanic *garna- (whence also Middle Dutch gaern, garen "spun fiber," Old High German & Old Norse garn), masculine noun probably from the same base as feminine *garnō "intestine" (whence Old Norse gǫrn, plural garnar "guts") and *garnja- (in Old English micgern, midirne "fat around the entrails of an animal," Old Saxon midgarni, Old High German mittigarni, with *midja- mid entry 1), going back to Indo-European *ǵhorH-n- (whence also Lithuanian žarnà "intestine" and Greek khordḗ "catgut, string of a musical instrument, sausage," in plural "guts, tripe," if altered from *khornḗ), suffixed o-grade derivative of *ǵhr̥H- "gut, cord made from animal intestines," whence Latin haru- "intestines" (in haruspex haruspex), Sanskrit híraḥ "band, strip," hirā́ "vein"

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1812, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yarn was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing yarn

Dictionary Entries Near yarn

yarmulke

yarn

yarn-dye

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Yarn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yarn. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

yarn

1 of 2 noun
ˈyärn How to pronounce yarn (audio)
1
a
: a natural or manufactured fiber (as cotton, wool, or rayon) formed as a continuous strand for use in knitting or weaving
b
: a similar strand of another material (as metal, glass, or plastic)
2
: an interesting or exciting story

yarn

2 of 2 verb
: to tell a yarn

More from Merriam-Webster on yarn

Nglish: Translation of yarn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of yarn for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yarn

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