threadbare
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thread·bare

adjective \ˈthred-ˌber\

Definition of THREADBARE

1
a : having the nap worn off so that the thread shows : shabby <threadbare clothes>
b : wearing threadbare clothing : very poor <took in threadbare relatives — Russell Baker>
c : barely adequate because of cheapness or shabbiness <a threadbare production>
2
: exhausted of interest or freshness
thread·bare·ness noun

Examples of THREADBARE

  1. <bought a threadbare couch at a garage sale>
  2. <a novel filled with nothing but threadbare clichés>

First Known Use of THREADBARE

14th century

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