worsted

[ woo s-tid, wur-stid ]
/ ˈwʊs tɪd, ˈwɜr stɪd /

noun

firmly twisted yarn or thread spun from combed, stapled wool fibers of the same length, for weaving, knitting, etc. Compare woolen.
wool cloth woven from such yarns, having a hard, smooth surface and no nap.

adjective

consisting or made of worsted.

Origin of worsted

1250–1300; Middle English worsted(e), special use of Worstede Worstead (Old English Wurthestede), name of parish in Norfolk, England, where the cloth was made

OTHER WORDS FROM worsted

half-worst·ed, adjective

Definition for worsted (2 of 2)

Origin of worst

before 900; Middle English worste (adj., adv., and noun), Old English wur(re)sta, wyr(re)st, wer(re)sta (adj. and adv.); cognate with Old Norse verstr; see worse, -est1

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH worst

worst wurst

Example sentences from the Web for worsted

British Dictionary definitions for worsted (1 of 2)

worsted
/ (ˈwʊstɪd) /

noun

a closely twisted yarn or thread made from combed long-staple wool
a fabric made from this, with a hard smooth close-textured surface and no nap
(modifier) made of this yarn or fabric a worsted suit

Word Origin for worsted

C13: named after Worstead, a district in Norfolk

British Dictionary definitions for worsted (2 of 2)

Word Origin for worst

Old English wierrest; related to Old Frisian wersta, Old Saxon, Old High German wirsisto, Old Norse verstr

Idioms and Phrases with worsted

worst

see at worst; get (have) the worst of it; if worst comes to worst; in the worst way. Also see under worse.