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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

stitch

stihch

Stitch (noun) means a single loop of thread made by a needle in sewing, knitting, or in closing a wound. Example: “The nurse put three stitches in the cut on his knee.”

noun
1
A single loop of thread made by a needle in sewing, knitting, or in closing a wound.
"The nurse put three stitches in the cut on his knee."
"She dropped a stitch while knitting the sleeve."
2
A sudden sharp pain, especially in the side of the body, often brought on by running.
"He got a stitch halfway through the race and had to slow down."
verb
1
To sew or join something using stitches.
"The tailor stitched the hem by hand."
"The surgeon stitched up the wound carefully."

How to use stitch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA single loop of thread in sewing, a suture closing a wound, or a sudden sharp pain in your side.

Common mistake

On social media, "stitch" also means joining a clip of someone else's video onto your own — a newer, unrelated tech sense.

Common pairings
get stitches a stitch in your side stitch a wound drop a stitch

Word forms

stitched past tense, stitches plural, stitches singular

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

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The nurse put three _____ in the cut on his knee.

Etymology

From Old English stiche, meaning "a prick, puncture, or sharp pain" — the same root gave us "stick."

Origin: Old English

sew run up sew together

Related words

Rhymes for stitch

See all rhymes for stitch →

Frequently asked questions

What does “stitch” mean?

The word “stitch” means a single loop of thread made by a needle in sewing, knitting, or in closing a wound. In plain terms, a single loop of thread in sewing, a suture closing a wound, or a sudden sharp pain in your side.

How do you pronounce “stitch”?

“Stitch” is pronounced stihch (/stɪt͡ʃ/ in IPA).

How do you use “stitch” in a sentence?

Here is “stitch” used in a sentence: “The nurse put three stitches in the cut on his knee.”

What part of speech is “stitch”?

Depending on how it is used, “stitch” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “stitch” come from?

The word “stitch” comes from Old English. From Old English stiche, meaning "a prick, puncture, or sharp pain" — the same root gave us "stick.".

Is “stitch” a common word?

“Stitch” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “stitch” have?

“Stitch” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a single loop of thread made by a needle in sewing, knitting, or in closing a wound.

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