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noun Common

Hank

HANGK

Hank (noun) means a coiled loop or bundle of yarn, twine, or rope. Example: “She bought a hank of wool to knit a scarf.”

noun
1
A coiled loop or bundle of yarn, twine, or rope.
"She bought a hank of wool to knit a scarf."

How to use Hank

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA coil or loop of thread, yarn, or rope.

Common pairings
a hank of wool a hank of rope

Word forms

hanked past tense, Hanks plural, hanks plural, hanks singular

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Test yourself on “Hank” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She bought a _____ of wool to knit a scarf.

Etymology

From Middle English hank, of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse hǫnk.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for Hank

See all rhymes for Hank →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Hank” mean?

The word “Hank” means a coiled loop or bundle of yarn, twine, or rope. In plain terms, a coil or loop of thread, yarn, or rope.

How do you pronounce “Hank”?

“Hank” is pronounced HANGK (/ˈheɪ̯ŋk/ in IPA).

How do you use “Hank” in a sentence?

Here is “Hank” used in a sentence: “She bought a hank of wool to knit a scarf.”

What part of speech is “Hank”?

“Hank” is a noun.

Where does the word “Hank” come from?

The word “Hank” comes from Middle English. From Middle English hank, of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse hǫnk.

Is “Hank” a common word?

“Hank” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is a hank of yarn?

A hank of yarn is a coiled loop or bundle of yarn, twine, or rope, typically wound into a large loose loop rather than a tight ball. Hanks are usually the form in which yarn is sold before being wound into a more usable ball for knitting or crocheting.

What is the difference between a hank and a skein?

A hank is a loosely coiled loop of yarn that usually needs to be wound before use, while a skein is already wound into a more compact, ready-to-use shape. Crafters often buy yarn in hanks and wind it into balls or use a swift to make it workable.

Is Hank a name or a type of coil?

Both: Hank can be a given name (a short form of Henry), and hank, lowercase, is also a common noun describing a coiled bundle of yarn, twine, or rope. Context determines which meaning applies.

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