# yarn

/ˈjɑɹn/ (US) · /jˈɑːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yarn
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. knitting thread

noun · CEFR B2

a long, thin thread made of wool, cotton, or other fibres used for knitting or weaving.

For teachers: a continuous strand of twisted natural or synthetic fibres used in weaving, knitting, or textile production.

- She bought three balls of soft blue yarn to knit a sweater for her nephew.
- The weaver selected a high-quality wool yarn, noting that its consistent tension would prevent the fabric from warping during the finishing process.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the material in general; countable when referring to specific types or balls of thread.

### 2. a long story

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a long and exciting story, especially one that is hard to believe.

For teachers: a long, often improbable or exaggerated narrative, frequently associated with sailors or travellers.

- The old sailor spent the whole evening spinning a yarn about a giant sea monster.
- After a few drinks, he began to spin a tall yarn about his supposed adventures in the merchant navy during the late sixties.

Usage: Commonly used with the verb 'spin' (to spin a yarn).

Teaching tip: This sense is often used with a slightly humorous or skeptical tone, implying the story might be made up.

### 3. rope component

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the smaller threads that are twisted together to make a thick rope.

For teachers: one of the strands of fibres that are twisted together to form a larger rope or cable.

- The rope was weak because several of the internal yarns had started to rot.
- In traditional rope-making, multiple yarns are twisted into strands, which are then laid together to provide the necessary tensile strength.

## Examples

- He told us a long yarn about his adventures at sea.
- The old sailor sat by the fire, spinning a yarn about a giant sea monster he claimed to have seen.
- While the memoir was marketed as a factual account, many critics felt it was more of a tall yarn designed to entertain rather than inform.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.