threadbare

adjective

thread·​bare ˈthred-ˌber 

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

threadbareness noun

Synonyms of threadbare

• dilapidated
• neglected

Choose the Right Synonym for threadbare

trite, hackneyed, stereotyped, threadbare mean lacking the freshness that evokes attention or interest.

trite applies to a once effective phrase or idea spoiled from long familiarity.

"you win some, you lose some" is a trite expression

hackneyed stresses being worn out by overuse so as to become dull and meaningless.

all of the metaphors and images in the poem are hackneyed

stereotyped implies falling invariably into the same pattern or form.

views of minorities that are stereotyped and out-of-date

threadbare applies to what has been used until its possibilities of interest have been totally exhausted.

a mystery novel with a threadbare plot

Examples of threadbare in a Sentence

bought a threadbare couch at a garage sale

a novel filled with nothing but threadbare clichés

Recent Examples on the Web

The notice said residents were living in threadbare conditions, without space to hang their clothes and lacking nightstands and lamps. — Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Supporters stayed behind to serenade a threadbare squad that already seems close to breaking point just three games into their 2026-27 Premier League season. — Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

After that the science cupboard looks more threadbare, and NASA could use some major new mission starts. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 30 Aug. 2026

At the detention center in Lumpkin, Georgia, she was given threadbare towels, a sheet and a uniform. — Shimon Prokupecz, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for threadbare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

threadbare

adjective

thread·​bare ˈthred-ˌba(ə)r 

-ˌbe(ə)r

1

: worn so much that the thread shows : shabby

threadbare clothes

2

: barely adequate

a threadbare store with few items

a threadbare event lacking excitement

3

: having lost freshness and interest from overuse

threadbare jokes