needle

Study(28)

/ˈniː.dl̩/

noun 5verb 3name 1

Collocations

(noun.) for sewing

ADJ

long | blunt | sharp | fine | darning, embroidery, sewing, tapestry

VERB + NEEDLE

use | thread

PHRASES

the eye of a needle, needle and thread

Threading a needle can be difficult if you have poor eyesight.

(noun.) for knitting

ADJ

empty | knitting

NEEDLE + VERB

hold sth

The nurse carefully held the needle steady before inserting it into my arm.

(noun.) for drugs

ADJ

VERB + NEEDLE

insert, jab (sb with), plunge, put, stick

The nurse gently inserted a needle into my arm before taking blood.

use

Doctors warn patients not to share needles with other people because of disease risk.

NEEDLE + VERB

go in

The doctor said the needle would go in smoothly, so I tried not to worry.

NEEDLE + NOUN

tip

exchange

The local health clinic started a needle exchange program to help reduce disease transmission.

PHRASES

the prick of a needle

(noun.) on a compass/instrument

ADJ

magnetized | compass

NEEDLE + VERB

move

The compass needle moved slowly toward the north as we adjusted our direction.

point

settle

The compass needle settled after spinning wildly for a few seconds.

PHRASES

the needle of a compass

(noun.) on a pine tree

ADJ

conifer, pine

VERB + NEEDLE

drop, lose

Definitions

noun

A long, thin, sharp implement usually for piercing as in sewing, embroidery, acupuncture, tattooing, body piercing, medical injections, sutures, etc; or a blunt but otherwise similar implement used for forming loops or knots in crafts such

The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.

reusable needles

Any slender, pointed object resembling a needle, such as a pointed crystal, a sharp pinnacle of rock, an obelisk, etc.

A fine measurement indicator on a dial or graph.

a compass needle

The needle on the fuel gauge pointed to empty.

A sensor for playing phonograph records, a phonograph stylus.

Ziggy bought some diamond needles for his hi-fi phonograph.

A needle-like leaf found on some conifers.

At the very moment he cried out, David realised that what he had run into was only the Christmas tree. Disgusted with himself at such cowardice, he spat a needle from his mouth.

verb

To pierce with a needle, especially for sewing or acupuncture.

[…]the eyes were once more beginning to show the old nystagmus; so I decided to needle the cataracts, and on Jan. 31 I needled the right eye.

Possibly the greatest effect is achieved in the hand by needling the thumb, the index finger and the region of the 1st and 2nd metacarpal.

To tease in order to provoke; to poke fun at.

Billy needled his sister incessantly about her pimples.

FRED: Well, I teased her to some extent, or I needled her, not teased her. I needled her about—first I said that she didn't want to work, and then I think that there were a couple of comments.

To form, or be formed, in the shape of a needle.

to needle crystals

name

A surname.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — annoy or provoke, as by constant criticism

goad

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

needle in a haystack

Something that is difficult or impossible to locate.

You'll never find the paper you need on her desk. You're looking for a needle in a haystack.

camel through the eye of a needle

Hyperbole to illustrate something that is impossible to do or to make happen.

Getting George to wake up before 7 o'clock is harder than getting a camel through the eye of a needle.

it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God

It is unlikely that the wealthy will go to heaven.

thread the needle

To perform a tedious task with extreme precision; to manage to find harmony or strike a balance between conflicting forces, interests, etc.

Were I writing for the Court, I would seek to thread the needle between acknowledging Principal Morse's authority, on the one hand, while respecting student Frederick's rights, on

move the needle

To change a situation to a noticeable degree; to make an appreciable difference.

Think Red Hots are a taste challenge? Or the Atomic Fireball is the ultimate tongue torture? They barely move the needle for confectionery connoisseurs.

Example Bank

The seamstress threaded the needle to sew on a button.

Wiktionary

reusable needles

Wiktionary

single-use needles

Wiktionary

[…]the eyes were once more beginning to show the old nystagmus; so I decided to needle the cataracts, and on Jan. 31 I needled the right eye.

Wiktionary

Possibly the greatest effect is achieved in the hand by needling the thumb, the index finger and the region of the 1st and 2nd metacarpal.

Wiktionary

Billy needled his sister incessantly about her pimples.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, needle is marked as informal. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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