pin
PIHN
Pin (noun) means a short, thin, pointed piece of metal used to fasten things together, such as fabric. Example: “Be careful, there is still a pin in the seam of this dress.”
noun
1
A short, thin, pointed piece of metal used to fasten things together, such as fabric.
"Be careful, there is still a pin in the seam of this dress."
"He found a box of dressmaker's pins in the sewing drawer."
"She used a pin to hold the hem in place before sewing it."
2
A small decorative badge attached to clothing with a fastener.
"She collected a pin from every town she visited on holiday."
"The volunteers each wore a pin showing a small red heart."
"He wore a small enamel pin on his jacket lapel."
verb
1
To fasten something with a pin, or to hold something firmly in place.
"Please pin the poster to the board near the staff room door."
"She pinned the notice to the corkboard."
"He pinned his opponent to the mat and won the match."
2
To attach a digital item, such as a message or app, so it stays visible or easily accessible.
"You can pin your favourite website to the toolbar for quick access."
"She pinned the important message so nobody on the team would miss it."
"I pinned the group chat to the top of my messages."
How to use pin
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small pointed fastener, a decorative badge, or (as a verb) to fasten, hold down, or keep something visible.
Common pairings
pin something down
safety pin
pin a message
pin someone against the wall
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Word forms
- Plural
- pins
- Third person singular
- pins
- Past tense
- pinned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful, there is still a _____ in the seam of this dress.
Etymology
From Old English pinn, "peg" or "bolt," from a Proto-Germanic root meaning a protruding point — related to "pintle" and unrelated to the Latin word for a wing or feather.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unpin
Related words
Rhymes for pin
See all rhymes for pin →Frequently asked questions
What does “pin” mean?
The word “pin” means a short, thin, pointed piece of metal used to fasten things together, such as fabric. In plain terms, a small pointed fastener, a decorative badge, or (as a verb) to fasten, hold down, or keep something visible.
How do you pronounce “pin”?
“Pin” is pronounced PIHN (/ˈpɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “pin” in a sentence?
Here is “pin” used in a sentence: “She used a pin to hold the hem in place before sewing it.”
What is another word for “pin”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pin” include skittle.
What part of speech is “pin”?
Depending on how it is used, “pin” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pin” come from?
The word “pin” comes from Latin. From Old English pinn, "peg" or "bolt," from a Proto-Germanic root meaning a protruding point — related to "pintle" and unrelated to the Latin word for a wing or feather.
Is “pin” a common word?
“Pin” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pin” have?
“Pin” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, thin, pointed piece of metal used to fasten things together, such as fabric.
What is the difference between a pin and a needle?
A pin is a short, thin, pointed piece of metal used to fasten things such as fabric together, and it has a solid head at one end. A needle is used for sewing and has an eye, a small hole at one end, to hold thread.
What is the difference between a pin and a brooch?
In the sense of a decorative badge, a pin is a small ornament attached to clothing with a fastener. A brooch is generally larger and more ornamental, while a decorative pin tends to be smaller and simpler.
What is the difference between a pin and a safety pin?
A plain pin is a straight length of pointed metal with an exposed point, used to hold fabric temporarily. A safety pin bends back on itself and has a guard that covers the point, making it safer to wear and less likely to prick the skin.
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