threadbare
So worn out that the material is thin and nearly see-through.
threadbare in a sentence
- His threadbare jumper had been washed so many times you could see through the elbows.
- The old armchair was threadbare, its cushions worn so thin you could see the stuffing.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to threadbare?
- Aworn
- Bsmart
- Cnew
- Dthick
Show the answer
A: worn. The other three mean the opposite of threadbare.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to threadbare?
- Aworn
- Bragged
- Cnew
- Dshabby
Show the answer
C: new. The other three mean nearly the same as threadbare.
Words that mean something similar
worn, ragged, shabby
Words that mean the opposite
new, thick, smart
More words about appearance & looks
- transparent: So clear that you can see straight through it.
- trinket: A small, pretty object that is not worth much money.
- unkempt: Untidy and not looked after.
- unscathed: Not harmed or damaged at all.
- vibrant: Full of life, energy or bright colour.
- vivid: So bright or clear that it feels real.
- wondrous: So wonderful that it fills you with amazement.
- youthful: Seeming young, fresh and full of energy.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test