adjective

threadbare

THRED-bair

Threadbare (adjective) means Worn so thin that the threads of the fabric show through; shabby from long use. Example: “He answered the door in a threadbare dressing gown.”

adjective

Worn so thin that the threads of the fabric show through; shabby from long use.

"He answered the door in a threadbare dressing gown."

"The carpet in the hallway was threadbare down the middle."

Used so often that it has lost all force or interest, said of an argument, excuse, joke or idea.

"The minister trotted out the same threadbare excuse about "lessons learned"."

"It is a threadbare defence and the jury will see straight through it."

Thin to the point of inadequacy; barely sufficient.

"The department is running on a threadbare budget."

"Evidence for the claim is threadbare at best."

How to Use Threadbare

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSo worn out that you can almost see through it — or, for an idea, so overused it has stopped working.

When to use it

Neutral and slightly literary. In the figurative sense it carries a note of contempt.

Memory tip

It is one word with no hyphen, and it has no comparative form in careful writing — prefer "more threadbare" to "threadbarer".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

tattered → frayed → shabby → bare-faced

Common pairings

threadbare carpet threadbare coat threadbare excuse threadbare argument wear threadbare

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He answered the door in a _____ dressing gown.

Etymology

From Middle English, literally "bare down to the thread": cloth worn until the nap is gone and only the woven threads remain.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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worn frayed tattered shabby ragged moth-eaten hackneyed stale trite tired clichéd overused

Antonyms

new pristine plush fresh original novel

Related Words

new first old final original cool green modern

Rhymes for threadbare

are dare care hare mare fare bare rare ware gare share snare

See all rhymes for threadbare →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between threadbare and tattered?

Threadbare cloth is worn thin and smooth, with the nap rubbed away, but usually still in one piece. Tattered cloth is torn into ragged strips or hanging in shreds. Threadbare suggests long, gentle use; tattered suggests damage.

Can threadbare describe something other than fabric?

Yes, and that figurative use is very common. A threadbare argument, apology or plotline is one that has been used so many times it has no force left. The image is the same: worn thin by repetition.

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