yarn

Meaning

Noun

1. (uncountable) A twisted strand of fibre used for knitting or weaving.
2. (countable, uncountable) Bundles of fibres twisted together, and which in turn are twisted in bundles to form strands, which in their turn are twisted or plaited to form rope.
3. (countable) A story, a tale, especially one that is incredible.

Verb

To tell a story or stories, especially one that is lengthy or unlikely to be true.

Synonyms

thread

🧵

string

🪢

narrative

story

tale

narration

account

filament

recital

cord

rope

🪢

reticule

ribbon

🎀

snare

spin

spin a yarn

strand

tape

threads

twine

wool

tall story

tall tale

linen thread

fibre

strand of wool

spun thread

cuffer

anecdote

clew

clue

cotton

crewel

etc.

filum

gauze

hilum

hypha

Translations

hilo

🧵

filo

🧵

Garn

fil

🧶

Faden

🧶

garen

🧶

fio

🧵

νήμα

κλωστή

filato

fil

🧵

cuento

verhaal

Pronounced as (IPA)

/jɑːn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: yarne

Inherited from Old English: ġearn

Cognate with Western Frisian: jern

Cognate with Dutch: garen

Cognate with German: Garn

Cognate with Danish: garn

Cognate with Swedish: garn

Cognate with Icelandic: garn

Cognate with Latin: hernia

Cognate with Ancient Greek: χορδή

Cognate with Sanskrit: हिर

In summary

From Middle English yarne, ȝern, yarn, from the Old English ġearn (“yarn, spun wool”), from Proto-West Germanic *garn, from Proto-Germanic *garną (“yarn”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰorn-, *ǵʰerH- (“tharm, guts, intestines”).
Cognates
Akin to West Frisian jern, Dutch garen (“yarn”), German Garn (“yarn”), Danish garn, Swedish garn (“yarn, thread”), Icelandic garn (“yarn”), Latin hernia (“rupture”), Ancient Greek χορδή (khordḗ, “string”), Sanskrit हिर (hira, “band”). Compare also the obsolete doublet garn.