Main Entry:

thread·bare

Pronunciation:

\ˈthred-ˌber\

Function:

adjective

Date:

14th century

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

synonyms see trite

— thread·bare·ness noun