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spun yarn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˌspʌn ˈjɑːn/US/ˌspʌn ˈjɑːrn/

Neutral in literal meaning; literary/figurative in extended meaning.

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Quick answer

What does “spun yarn” mean?

Thread or yarn created by twisting and drawing out fibres together.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

Thread or yarn created by twisting and drawing out fibres together.

A story or account that is long, elaborate, and perhaps fanciful or exaggerated; a tale.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Both varieties use the term identically. The literal meaning is standard in textile contexts; the figurative meaning is slightly archaic/literary in both.

Connotations

In the figurative sense, it often implies a fanciful, entertaining, or potentially dubious story.

Frequency

The literal term is low-frequency, technical. The figurative term is rare and literary.

Grammar

How to Use “spun yarn” in a Sentence

to spin (sb) a yarnto tell a spun yarn

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
to spin yarna tale/spun yarn
medium
fine spun yarnspun yarn from woolspun a yarn about
weak
rope of spun yarnskein of spun yarnendless spun yarn

Examples

Examples of “spun yarn” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • He spun yarn from raw fleece.
  • The old sailor would spin yarns about the sea.

American English

  • She spun yarn for her knitting project.
  • He spun a wild yarn about his travels.

adjective

British English

  • The spun yarn rope was strong.
  • It was just another spun yarn tale.

American English

  • She bought spun yarn for her crafts.
  • His spun yarn excuse didn't convince anyone.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Rare, except in specific textile industry contexts.

Academic

Used in historical, literary, or textile engineering studies.

Everyday

Mostly used figuratively ('spun a yarn') in storytelling contexts.

Technical

Standard term in textiles, sailing (for small stuff rope).

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “spun yarn”

Strong

tale (fig.)story (fig.)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “spun yarn”

facttruthnon-fiction

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “spun yarn”

  • Using 'spun yarn' for any simple story (too archaic/literary). Confusing 'yarn' (thread) with 'yarn' (tale).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a compound noun, typically written as two separate words.

No. The verb is 'to spin.' 'Spun yarn' is a noun phrase (the product of spinning).

It is recognized but is considered somewhat archaic or literary. The phrase 'spin a yarn' is more common.

In textiles, 'yarn' is the general term. 'Spun yarn' specifically emphasizes the process of spinning, often differentiating it from other types like filament yarn.

Thread or yarn created by twisting and drawing out fibres together.

Spun yarn is usually neutral in literal meaning; literary/figurative in extended meaning. in register.

Spun yarn: in British English it is pronounced /ˌspʌn ˈjɑːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌspʌn ˈjɑːrn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “spin a yarn”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a SPINNER spinning YARN into a long thread, just as a storyteller spins a long tale.

Conceptual Metaphor

STORYTELLING IS WEAVING/SPINNING (e.g., 'weave a tale', 'spin a story').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The old fisherman loved to about his adventures.
Multiple Choice

In a figurative sense, 'a spun yarn' primarily means:

spun yarn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore