clothes-peg: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
IntermediateNeutral, Informal, Domestic
Quick answer
What does “clothes-peg” mean?
A small clip, typically made of wood or plastic, used for securing wet laundry to a clothesline to dry.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small clip, typically made of wood or plastic, used for securing wet laundry to a clothesline to dry.
Any peg or clip used for attaching fabric, garments, or textiles to a line, wire, or pole; occasionally used metaphorically to denote a basic household tool.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'clothes-peg' (or 'clothes peg') is standard in British English. The dominant term in American English is 'clothespin'. The hyphen is more common in UK spelling.
Connotations
In British English, it's a common, everyday term with no strong connotations. 'Clothespin' is equally neutral in American English. The British term can sound slightly quaint or old-fashioned to some American ears.
Frequency
'Clothes-peg' is very frequent in UK English, while 'clothespin' is near-universal in US English. A British speaker would likely be understood using 'clothes-peg' in the US, but the reverse might cause a brief moment of confusion.
Grammar
How to Use “clothes-peg” in a Sentence
[Subject] fastened the sheet with a clothes-peg.The [clothes-peg] held the trousers on the line.She clipped the socks together using a clothes-peg.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clothes-peg” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to clothes-peg the duvet cover securely.
- He clothes-pegged the shirts in the brisk wind.
American English
- She clothespinned the sheets to the line.
- He clothes-pegged the trousers to dry. (Less common in US)
adverb
British English
- This style clips clothes-peg fashion.
American English
- It was attached clothespin-style.
adjective
British English
- The clothes-peg basket was empty.
- He made a clothes-peg doll for the craft fair.
American English
- The clothespin bag was full.
- A clothes-peg figurine sat on the shelf. (Understandable but marked as UK)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. Potential in manufacturing or retail of household goods.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological or anthropological studies of domestic labour.
Everyday
High frequency in the context of laundry and home management.
Technical
Used in product design or materials science related to household implements.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clothes-peg”
- Misspelling as 'cloth-peg'.
- Using the plural 'clothes-pegs' as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'I need some clothes-peg').
- Pronouncing it as /kləʊðz 'pi:ɡ/ instead of /pɛɡ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is commonly written as a hyphenated compound ('clothes-peg') in British English, though the unhyphenated 'clothes peg' is also accepted. In American English, the single word 'clothespin' is standard.
Yes, informally, especially in British English (e.g., 'I'll clothes-peg these shirts'). However, the verb form is less common and quite colloquial. In the US, 'pin' or 'clip' is more likely.
A 'clothes-peg' is specifically designed for laundry, usually larger and stronger, often with a spring. A 'hair clip' is smaller, designed for styling hair, and would not typically be used on a clothesline.
Wooden pegs are traditional, biodegradable, and less likely to mark delicate fabrics, but can rot. Plastic pegs are weather-resistant, cheaper to mass-produce, and often have stronger springs, but are less eco-friendly.
A small clip, typically made of wood or plastic, used for securing wet laundry to a clothesline to dry.
Clothes-peg is usually neutral, informal, domestic in register.
Clothes-peg: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkləʊðz ˌpɛɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkloʊðz ˌpɛɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Squeak like a bag of clothes-pegs (informal, describing a creaky door or voice).”
- “Tighter than a clothes-peg (very tight-fitting).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CLOTHES need a PEG to stay on the line. It's a peg for clothes.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECURITY is HOLDING (the peg holds/ secures the clothes). SIMPLICITY is BASIC TOOLS (representing a simple, manual solution).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is primarily used in American English for the object a British speaker calls a 'clothes-peg'?