threadbare Definition
thread·bare (t̸hred′ber′)
adjective
- worn down so that the threads show; having the nap or surface fibers worn off threadbare rugs
- wearing old, worn clothes; shabby
- that has lost freshness or novelty; stale a threadbare argument
threadbare Synonyms
threadbare
modif.
threadbare Usage Examples
Preposition: in
place: The carpet was threadbare in places and the room smelled stale and dirty.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
look: That ostrich may be looking a bit threadbare after all these years, but I laughed so much I nearly soiled myself.
Modifies a noun
- squad: Nigel Worthington's threadbare squad saw today's match become a memorable occasion for three of the 14 players in yellow.
- carpet: Both of our houses were poorly furnished, with very old threadbare carpets.
- plot: Therefore, even with its threadbare plot, well worth seeing.
- luggage: It's equally important tho not to use old threadbare luggage which isn't up to a mild bruising from baggage handlers.
- appearance: Not just holes but they have a flimsy, see-through, threadbare appearance.
- notion: The threadbare popular notion of skills is replaced by a richer one.
Modifying Another Word
- rather: In this case an opinion held by very few, mainly those who want to add emotive language to a rather threadbare cause.
- little: Even the Leopard's ongoing festival of nostalgia is looking a little threadbare.
- so: Why does it have to be so threadbare going on gimcrack, recycling motoring and travel shows against rather desultory newscasts?
- very: From the original ten pairs of socks, I now have twelve very threadbare odd ones.
- increasingly: But to claim that a truly civic culture of engagement and participation can be enabled in any other way looks increasingly threadbare.
- particularly: All of a sudden the schedules on Saturday are looking particularly threadbare.
Used with adjective complement
Browse dictionary entries near threadbare
- ‹ thread
- ‹ thrawn
- ‹ Thrasymachus 5c
- ‹ Thrasymachus
- ‹ thrasonical
- ‹ thrashing
- ‹ thrasher
- ‹ thrash
- ‹ thralldom
- ‹ thrall
- threadfin ›
- threadworm ›
- thready ›
- threap ›
- threat ›
- Threat Level ›
- threaten ›
- threatened ›
- threatened species ›
- threatening ›

