Definition

A small device made of wood or plastic that is used to hold clothes onto a line while they dry.

Example

She used a clothespin to secure the wet shirt to the clothesline.

Conversation

Do you have any extra clothespins I could borrow?

Sure! I think I have a few in my laundry room.

Thanks! I need them to hang up some clothes outside.

No problem! They work really well for keeping everything in place.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Clothespin → The word is formed from "clothes" (from Old English *clāþas*, meaning garments or fabric) and "pin" (from Old English *pinn*, meaning a small pointed object used for fastening). A clothespin is a small object used to fasten clothes to a line for drying.

Memory Tip

Think of 'garments' ('clothes') being 'fastened' ('pin') to a line — that's what a clothespin does.

Visually Confused Words