needle

noun
UK: /ˈniːdl/
US: /ˈniːdl/

  1. A thin, pointed steel tool with a hole for thread, used in sewing.

    1. I need a needle to sew this button back on my coat. [ ] [ ]
    2. She threaded the needle carefully before starting her embroidery project. [ ] [ ]

  2. A long, thin, hollow instrument used for injecting substances into the body or drawing blood.

    1. The nurse used a needle to give me a flu shot this morning. [ ] [ ]
    2. Doctors use a very fine needle to administer Botox injections. [ ] [ ]

  3. A slender, pointed leaf of a fir, pine, or other coniferous tree.

    1. Pine needles covered the forest floor. [ ] [ ]
    2. The Christmas tree dropped its needles a week after we bought it. [ ] [ ]

  4. The pointer on a gauge or measuring instrument.

    1. The needle on the speedometer was dangerously high. [ ] [ ]
    2. The fuel gauge needle is getting close to empty. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

point spike pin hypodermic goad harass tease provoke
needle verb

  1. To provoke or annoy someone, especially by continual sharp criticism.

    1. Don't needle me about my messy room. [ ] [ ]
    2. She was always needling her brother about his bad habits. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "needle" in English means: A thin, pointed steel tool with a hole for thread, used in sewing., A long, thin, hollow instrument used for injecting substances into the body or drawing blood., A slender, pointed leaf of a fir, pine, or other coniferous tree., The pointer on a gauge or measuring instrument..

The phonetic transcription of "needle" is /ˈniːdl/ in British English and /ˈniːdl/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "needle": point, spike, pin, hypodermic, goad, harass, tease, provoke.

Example usage of "needle": "I need a needle to sew this button back on my coat.". More examples on the page.