yarn

play

noun \ˈyärn\

Definition of yarn

1a : a continuous often plied strand composed of either natural or man-made fibers or filaments and used in weaving and knitting to form clothb : a similar strand of another material (such as metal, glass, or plastic)
2 : a narrative of adventures; especially : a tall tale a roaring good yarn

See yarn defined for English-language learners

See yarn defined for kids

Examples of yarn in a Sentence

The sheep's wool will be spun into yarn.
yarns about ghosts and goblins
a storyteller who spins yarns that will keep any audience riveted

Recent Examples of yarn from the Web

And Candylady (earthy Eva Abram) has advice and yarns aplenty to dispense.

— misha berson, The Seattle Times, "‘Hoodoo Love’ review: a tale of survival in the bluesy South," 19 July 2017
But while U-boats and Nazis lurking in and around Portsmouth make for captivating yarns, chances are, none of it's true.

— sarah wesley lemire, courant.com, "Portsmouth: Where Naval History, Charm Converge," 5 July 2017
The site sits frozen in time with yarn still threaded in machines, lockers filled with photos and tools and folktale murals on the wall of the factory-workers’ children’s day-care.

— carolyn rapkievian, Smithsonian, "12 Unique Ways to Experience Armenia Off the Beaten Path," 30 June 2017
Shop Adidas by Stella McCartney multicolored and elastic yarn training shoes ($170); Martone Cycling Co. bike ($1,100).

— katy schneider, The Cut, "L.A.’s Cult Cactus Store Opens on the LES, Fishy Soaps-on-Ropes, and a Graphic-Design Bookstore in Greenpoint," 25 June 2017
Shop Adidas by Stella McCartney multicolored and elastic yarn training shoes ($170); Martone Cycling Co. bike ($1,100).

— katy schneider, The Cut, "L.A.’s Cult Cactus Store Opens on the LES, Fishy Soaps-on-Ropes, and a Graphic-Design Bookstore in Greenpoint," 25 June 2017
The lid comes off easily, and the end of the yarn can be threaded through the hole in the lid.

— hints from heloise, star-telegram.com, "Keep everyone safe during mosquito season," 22 June 2017
Dear Heloise: For holding skeins of yarn, use large, empty plastic canisters of disinfecting wipes.

— hints from heloise, star-telegram.com, "Keep everyone safe during mosquito season," 22 June 2017
That great chronicler of the way wealth and privilege both corrupt and ennoble spins a dire yarn today: in the Hamptons, storied playground of those with an abundance of money and a dearth of imagination, a piece of art has been vandalized.

— richard lawson, Vanities, "Hamptons Catastrophe: Vandalism of Controversial Sculpture Roils Sag Harbor," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'yarn.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of yarn

Middle English, from Old English gearn; akin to Old High German garn yarn, Greek chordē string, Latin hernia rupture, Sanskrit hira band

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Textiles Terms

batt, bias, brocade, duck, flock, lawn, toile

yarn

verb

Definition of yarn

intransitive verb
: to tell a yarn

yarner

noun

First Known Use of yarn

1812

YARN Defined for English Language Learners

yarn

play

noun

Definition of yarn for English Language Learners

: a long, thin piece of cotton, wool, etc., that is thicker than thread and that is used for knitting and weaving
: an exciting or interesting story; especially : a story that is so surprising or unusual that it is difficult to believe

YARN Defined for Kids

yarn

play

noun \ˈyärn\

Definition of yarn for Students

1 : a natural or manufactured fiber (as of cotton, wool, or rayon) formed as a continuous thread for use in knitting or weaving
2 : an interesting or exciting story Grandpa said, “How about a story? Spin us a yarn.” — Sharon Creech, Walk Two Moons