Is 'pin' a countable noun?

Yes, 'pin' is a countable noun (e.g., 'I need three pins').

What is the difference between a 'pin' and a 'needle'?

A pin is primarily a fastener with a head at one end. A needle is a tool for sewing or injection, typically with a hole (eye) for thread and a pointed end.

Can 'pin' be used figuratively?

Yes, frequently. Examples include 'pin your hopes on something' (base your hopes on), 'pin someone down' (force someone to be specific), and 'pin the blame on' (assign blame to).

What is the correct preposition after the verb 'pin'?

It depends on the meaning. For attaching, use 'to' or 'on' (pin it to the wall). For forcing a commitment, use 'down' (pin him down to a price). For attributing blame, use 'on' (pin the crime on him).

i-pin

High

UK/pɪn/US/pɪn/

Neutral

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A short, thin, sharp-pointed piece of stiff wire with a round head used for fastening pieces of cloth, paper, etc.

A short, thin piece of metal or other material, often with a head, used as a fastener, support, marker, or connection point. In a figurative sense, it can refer to a small, thin piece of something or to the action of attaching or fixing something.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The word can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, its central meaning is a physical fastener, but it extends to various technical and metaphorical uses (e.g., 'PIN code', 'pins and needles'). The verb form means to attach or fix something, both literally and figuratively.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant semantic differences. Spelling of derived terms like 'pinpoint' is consistent. Minor differences in collocational frequency; e.g., 'drawing pin' (UK) vs. 'thumbtack' (US).

Connotations

Identical.

Frequency

Similar high frequency in both dialects.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

safety pindrawing pinPIN codepin downpin up

medium

hair pinrolling pinpin the tailclothes pincotter pin

weak

pin moneypin something on someoneon pins and needles

Grammar

Valency Patterns

pin something to/on somethingpin something downpin something uppin your hopes on something

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

clipskewerneedle

Neutral

fastenerpegbroochtack

Weak

spikedowelstake

Vocabulary

Antonyms

releaseunfastendetachunpin

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“on pins and needles”
“you could hear a pin drop”
“pin your hopes on”
“pin money”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to Personal Identification Number (PIN) for security.

Academic

Used in engineering (e.g., 'pinned connection'), biology ('pinned specimen'), and computing.

Everyday

Commonly used for sewing, noticeboards, and fastening.

Technical

In electronics ('pin header'), mechanics ('clevis pin'), and cartography ('map pin').

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

She used a drawing pin to pin the poster to the noticeboard.
He was finally pinned down to a specific date for the meeting.
They pinned their hopes on the new vaccine.

American English

He pinned the note to the bulletin board with a thumbtack.
The detective pinned the crime on the wrong suspect.
She pinned her hair up to keep cool.

adjective

British English

The pin-head sized dot was almost invisible.
He suffered from a pin-prick sensation in his foot.

American English

The machine has a pin-size hole for calibration.
She felt a pin-prick of guilt.

Examples

By CEFR Level

I need a pin for my badge.
Can you pin this drawing on the wall?
My phone needs a PIN to unlock.

She carefully pinned the pattern to the fabric before cutting.
The wrestler pinned his opponent to the mat.
Don't pin all your hopes on one job application.

The new evidence finally pinned down the time of the incident.
The political scandal was pinned squarely on the minister's poor judgement.
The butterfly specimen was neatly pinned in the display case.

The lecturer was skilled at pinning down the essence of complex philosophical arguments.
The engineer analysed the failure, tracing it to a sheared pin in the linkage.
His argument was pinned upon a rather tenuous historical analogy.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a PIN holding two pieces of paper together, just like your Personal Identification Number (PIN) holds your account security together.

Conceptual Metaphor

FASTENING IS HOLDING / CONTROL (e.g., 'pin someone down', 'pin the blame on'). SUPPORT IS PROPPING UP (e.g., 'pinned his hopes on').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating 'PIN code' as 'пин код' in formal Russian; use 'ПИН-код' or 'код PIN'. Be careful with 'pin down' which means to force a specific commitment, not just to physically hold down.

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'pin' (verb) with 'pen' (verb). Incorrectly using 'pin' for large or non-sharp fasteners (e.g., using 'pin' for a bolt).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Before sewing, you should the pieces of fabric together.

Multiple Choice

What does the idiom 'on pins and needles' mean?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, 'pin' is a countable noun (e.g., 'I need three pins').
: A pin is primarily a fastener with a head at one end. A needle is a tool for sewing or injection, typically with a hole (eye) for thread and a pointed end.
: Yes, frequently. Examples include 'pin your hopes on something' (base your hopes on), 'pin someone down' (force someone to be specific), and 'pin the blame on' (assign blame to).
: It depends on the meaning. For attaching, use 'to' or 'on' (pin it to the wall). For forcing a commitment, use 'down' (pin him down to a price). For attributing blame, use 'on' (pin the crime on him).