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.
"He found a hank of clothesline on a counter."
— Nevil Shute (1957)
"She bought a hank of wool to knit a scarf."
"The past year or two had brought knitting-needles into countenance for men, and he saw no reason why he should not put a few hanks of yarn into shape useful for himself."
— Henry Blake Fuller (1919)
How to use Hank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA coil or loop of thread, yarn, or rope.
Common pairings
a hank of wool
a hank of rope
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Word forms
- Plural
- Hanks
- Third person singular
- hanks
- Past tense
- hanked
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.
Synonyms
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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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