thread
gb/θɹˈɛd/ us/θɹˈɛd/
A2
English
~ 500
cérna, fonal, szál, befűz, átfűz, csík, sugár, átlavíroz
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[thread] of [material]
She used a red thread to sew the button back on.
Piros cérnával varrta vissza a gombot.
The tailor keeps many colors of thread in his shop.
A szabó sokféle színű cérnát tart az üzletében.
This embroidery is done with gold thread.
The thread broke while I was stitching the seam.
Learner examples
I need white thread for my shirt.
Fehér cérnára van szükségem az ingemhez.
The thread is very thin.
A cérna nagyon vékony.
She puts the thread in the needle.
The thread is on the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'thread' with 'string'; string is thicker and not usually for sewing.
Meaning
Long thin fiber strand
Collocations
sewing thread
|cotton thread
|thread spool
|needle and thread
|silk thread
Synonyms
strand (Refers to a single length of fiber or hair; not limited to sewing material.)
Antonyms
fabric (Fabric is made from many threads woven together; the opposite in scale.)
Themes
crafts
|daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A long, thin piece of material like cotton or nylon used for sewing.
A long, thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibers used for sewing or weaving.
NOUN
B1
2
szál
B2
Usage pattern:
[thread] about [topic]
I started a new thread about travel tips on the forum.
Új szálat indítottam a fórumon az utazási tippekről.
Please reply in the same thread so we can keep track of the conversation.
Kérlek, ugyanabban a szálban válaszolj, hogy követni tudjuk a beszélgetést.
This Twitter thread explains the whole story.
Learner examples
I read the whole thread about movies.
Elolvastam az egész szálat a filmekről.
He made a new thread about music.
Új szálat nyitott a zenéről.
This email is part of the same thread.
Common mistake:
Some learners may think 'thread' only means something physical; in technology it also means a set of connected messages.
Meaning
Series of online messages
Collocations
forum thread
|email thread
|discussion thread
|Twitter thread
Synonyms
conversation (General term for spoken or written exchange; not necessarily structured in a sequence.)
Antonyms
unrelated post (A message not connected to previous messages in a discussion.)
Themes
technology
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A set of messages about one topic on the internet or in emails.
A sequence of connected messages or posts on the same topic in an online forum, email chain, or social media platform.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to thread [something] through [something]
She carefully threaded the needle before starting to sew.
Óvatosan befűzte a tűt, mielőtt varrni kezdett.
He threaded the rope through the small loop.
Átfűzte a kötelet a kis hurkon.
I can't see well enough to thread this fishing line.
Learner examples
I can thread the needle fast.
Gyorsan be tudom fűzni a tűt.
He threads the rope through the ring.
Átfűzi a kötelet a gyűrűn.
She threads the string into the hole.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'thread' with 'sew'; sewing involves threading but is more than that.
Meaning
Pass through a narrow opening
Collocations
thread a needle
|thread beads
|thread a pipe
Synonyms
insert (General term for putting something into something else; not limited to thin objects.)
Antonyms
unthread (To remove a thread or similar object from an opening.)
Themes
crafts
|daily life
|daily_life
|clothing
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put thread or something thin through a small hole.
To pass a long, thin object such as a thread or string through a narrow hole or space, especially the eye of a needle.
NOUN
B2
4
A thin thread of smoke rose from the chimney.
Vékony füstcsík szállt fel a kéményből.
The first thread of light appeared at dawn.
Hajnalban megjelent az első vékony fénycsík.
Threads of water trickled down the window.
Learner examples
I see a thread of smoke.
Látok egy vékony füstcsíkot.
A thread of light comes in the room.
Egy fénycsík szűrődik be a szobába.
Water makes threads on the glass.
Meaning
Thin line or streak
Collocations
thread of light
|thread of smoke
|threads of water
Synonyms
streak (A long, thin mark or line; may be broader than 'thread'.)
Antonyms
mass (A large, thick amount instead of a thin line.)
Themes
nature
|visuals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very thin line or small amount of something like light or smoke.
A very thin line or stream of something such as light, smoke, or liquid.
VERB
B2
5
átlavíroz
C1
Usage pattern:
to thread [one's way] through [something]
She threaded her way through the busy market.
Óvatosan átlavírozott a zsúfolt piacon.
The car threaded through the narrow streets.
Az autó átlavírozott a szűk utcákon.
He threaded his way between the tables.
Learner examples
She threads her way through people.
Átlavíroz az emberek között.
The car threads through the street.
Az autó átlavíroz az utcán.
He threads between chairs.
Meaning
Move carefully through route
Collocations
thread one's way through traffic
|thread through crowd
Synonyms
weave (To move in and out between things; often interchangeable but 'weave' may suggest more flowing movement.)
Antonyms
barge (To move clumsily without care around obstacles.)
Themes
movement
|navigation
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move carefully through a small space or between things.
To move carefully and skillfully between obstacles or along a narrow path.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thread
IPA
GB/θɹˈɛd/
US/θɹˈɛd/
Syllables & stress
thread (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (thread)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: thread
- Plural: thread, threads
Verb
- Base: thread
- 3rd Person Singular: threads
- Present Participle: threading
- Past: threaded
Word family
Forms
threads
noun
threading
verb
threaded
verb
Negative and opposite forms
unthreaded
adjective
Advanced or less common
threadbare
adjective
threadlike
adjective
Expressions
a common thread
1/ə kˈɑmən θɹˈɛd/
fixed phrase
Shared feature among things/people
A feature that is found in different things or people.
Examples
- Honesty was the common thread among all the candidates.
- The stories share a common thread of hope.
hang by a thread
1/hˈæŋ bˈaɪ ə θɹˈɛd/
idiom
Be close to failure or ruin
To be in great danger and could end very soon.
Examples
- The company is hanging by a thread after losing its biggest client.
- His life hung by a thread after the accident.
lose the thread
1/lˈuz ðə θɹˈɛd/
idiom
Fail to follow main point
To forget or not understand what is being talked about anymore.
Examples
- I lost the thread halfway through his explanation.
- She kept digressing and I lost the thread of her story.
pick up the threads
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp ðə θɹˈɛdz/
idiom
Resume something after a break
To start doing something again after stopping for some time.
Examples
- After her illness, she tried to pick up the threads of her normal life.
- They picked up the threads of their conversation when I returned.
thread one's way through
1/θɹˈɛd wˈʌnz wˈeɪ θɹˈu/
fixed phrase
Move carefully between obstacles
To move slowly and carefully between things blocking your way.
Examples
- He threaded his way through the crowded hall.
- The hikers threaded their way through thick forest.