needle
NEE-duhl
Needle (noun) means a thin, sharp tool used for sewing, injections, acupuncture, or piercing. Example: “The doctor said the needle would only sting for a second.”
noun
1
A thin, sharp tool used for sewing, injections, acupuncture, or piercing.
"The doctor said the needle would only sting for a second."
"She threaded the needle and began stitching the hem."
"The nurse used a fresh needle for the injection."
2
A pointer on a dial, compass, or gauge.
"The needle on the fuel gauge was almost touching empty."
"As the engine warmed up, the needle crept slowly towards the middle of the dial."
"The compass needle swung north."
3
The thin, pointed leaf of certain conifer trees, such as pine.
"The spruce dropped its needles all over the garden path."
"Each needle on the fir branch was short, stiff and dark green."
"Pine needles covered the forest floor."
verb
1
To tease or provoke someone persistently.
"Stop needling me about my driving and keep your eyes on the road."
"Her friends needled her good-naturedly for always arriving late."
"He kept needling his brother about the missed shot."
How to use needle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA thin, sharp sewing or medical tool, or (as a verb) to tease someone.
Common pairings
needle and thread
pins and needles
needle someone about
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Word forms
- Plural
- needles
- Third person singular
- needles
- Past tense
- needled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The doctor said the _____ would only sting for a second.
Etymology
From Old English nǣdl, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to spin or twist" — related to modern German Nadel.
Related words
Rhymes for needle
See all rhymes for needle →Frequently asked questions
What does “needle” mean?
The word “needle” means a thin, sharp tool used for sewing, injections, acupuncture, or piercing. In plain terms, a thin, sharp sewing or medical tool, or (as a verb) to tease someone.
How do you pronounce “needle”?
“Needle” is pronounced NEE-duhl (/ˈniː.dəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “needle” in a sentence?
Here is “needle” used in a sentence: “She threaded the needle and began stitching the hem.”
What part of speech is “needle”?
Depending on how it is used, “needle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “needle” come from?
The word “needle” comes from Old English. From Old English nǣdl, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to spin or twist" — related to modern German Nadel.
Is “needle” a common word?
“Needle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “needle” have?
“Needle” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin, sharp tool used for sewing, injections, acupuncture, or piercing.
What is the difference between a needle and a pin?
A needle is a thin, sharp tool designed to pass through material, used for sewing, injections, acupuncture, or piercing, and a sewing needle carries thread through an eye. A pin is a straight fastener used to hold fabric or paper in place temporarily and does not carry thread.
Why are pine leaves called needles?
The leaves of pines and many other conifers are called needles because they are thin and sharply pointed, resembling sewing needles. Needle is the standard term for this leaf shape, as in "pine needles carpeting the forest floor."
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