Threadbare: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this word to describe an item, especially fabric or clothing, that is so old and worn that the threads are showing. It often conveys an image of something being overly used and neglected.

• The old man's threadbare coat offered little protection from the cold.
• After years of use, the carpet in the living room was now threadbare.

Ideal for describing something that has been used so much that it is no longer in good condition or effective. It gives a sense of complete exhaustion of the item's value or functionality.

• My sneakers are completely worn out and need to be replaced.
• After the long hike, I felt completely worn out.

This term works well to describe something that appears run-down, neglected, or in poor condition. It doesn't imply as much wear as 'threadbare' but suggests a noticeable lack of care.

• The furniture in the old house was shabby but still functional.
• He often wore a shabby hat that seemed to have seen better days.

Mostly used to describe clothing that is torn and uneven, giving a rough and often neglected appearance. This word can also describe an untidy or uneven appearance in general.

• The homeless man wore a ragged jacket that barely kept him warm.
• The dog had a ragged ear, likely from a fight.

This term is suitable for describing fabric or edges that are worn and starting to unravel. It is generally used for items that have experienced wear and tear, not necessarily old but damaged at the edges.

• The ropes were frayed from years of exposure to the elements.
• Her jeans were frayed at the hems after being worn so many times.

Used to describe fabric or clothing that is so old and thin that it has lost much of its original texture and strength, often appearing see-through in places.

• His threadbare sweater showed years of wear and tear
• The threadbare curtains let in more light than they blocked

Refers to items that have been used so much they have lost their effectiveness or appearance, often to the point of being unusable.

• My sneakers were completely worn out after the long hike
• The book's pages were worn out from years of being read

Used to describe something, often clothing, that looks old and in poor condition, sometimes implying that the item has been neglected or poorly maintained.

• Her once elegant dress now looked shabby and out of style
• The furniture in the old house was shabby and covered in dust

Describes clothing or fabric that is badly torn or in poor condition, often implying a very worn or tattered state.

• He wore a ragged coat that barely protected him from the cold
• The flag on the mast was ragged and torn

Typically refers to the edges of fabric or clothing that have become worn away and are unraveling or breaking apart.

• The cuffs of his jeans were frayed after years of use
• Slowly, the rope became frayed from too much tension