yarn

noun

ˈyärn How to pronounce yarn (audio)
Definition of yarnnext
1
as in tale
a brief account of something interesting that happened especially to one personally Grandpa likes to tell yarns about when he was young

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2
as in story
a work with imaginary characters and events that is shorter and usually less complex than a novel a ripping yarn about space travel and alien monsters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of yarn Colored yarns create a salt-and-pepper effect that gives this piece textural depth. — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 5 Aug. 2026 Items used to repair clothing such as fabric, yarn, buttons, hooks, thread and zippers. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Aug. 2026 The Child has placed his foot on the basket of yarns and has grasped the yarnwinder and gazes attentively at the four spokes that are in the form of a cross. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Charlene Catalano was looking for a ball of green-and-white yarn to crochet this year's winter scarf. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yarn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yarn
  1. tale
  2. story
  3. novella
  4. narrative
Noun
  • But the tale is even more poignant now, because as part of the team’s offensive transformation, fueled by the hiring of former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, the Vikings are handing Bredeson a hefty role.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The two dashing newcomers have since been regaling the Georgia Aquarium’s existing belugas, a quartet of females*, with tales of their peregrinations.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of tale
Noun
  • The week’s biggest stories Animal and pet sagas Big Bear celebrity eagle Shadow has been seen with a new eagle at the nest.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • As a preteen, I became absorbed in the life of Davy Crockett, Wild Bill Hickok and others through stories written for my age group.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of story
Noun
  • The Just One Day series spans two books and a followup novella.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Aug. 2026
  • There’s a theory in the novella that Helaena is pushed from the window and Mysaria is a suspect.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of novella
Noun
  • Below, Wood spoke to Deadline about the making of Brand New Day and the web-crawling details hidden within its narrative walls.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Then the narrative is born out of the trajectory of the character.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of narrative

Browse Nearby Words

yardsticks
yarn
yarns
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Yarn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yarn. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on yarn

Nglish: Translation of yarn for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yarn

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