빨래집게
A clothespin is a small tool used to hold wet clothes onto a clothesline so they do not fall off.
Explanation at your level:
A clothespin is a thing for clothes. You use it when you wash your clothes. You put the clothes on a line. Then you use the clothespin to keep them there. It is very helpful!
When you wash your clothes, you might hang them outside to dry. A clothespin is a small tool that keeps your shirt or pants on the rope. Without it, the wind could blow your clothes away. They are usually made of wood or plastic.
A clothespin is a common household item used to secure laundry to a clothesline. It works by using a spring to clamp the fabric to the line, ensuring that the garments stay in place while drying. You will often find them in a laundry basket or a small bag kept near the washing area.
The clothespin represents a traditional method of laundry care that remains popular due to its energy efficiency. By using air to dry clothes instead of a dryer, people save electricity. The design has evolved from simple wooden pegs to modern, durable plastic versions with metal springs.
Beyond its functional utility in domestic settings, the clothespin serves as a symbol of mid-century domesticity and simple, mechanical ingenuity. Its design is a testament to the effectiveness of basic tension-based mechanisms. In literature or film, the image of laundry drying on a line secured by clothespins often evokes themes of nostalgia, rural life, or the mundanity of daily routines.
The etymological evolution of the clothespin reflects the industrial shift in household management. Historically, the transition from the 'clothes peg' to the 'clothespin' denotes the move toward mass-produced, spring-loaded fasteners. Culturally, the object has transcended its utilitarian roots to become a staple in pedagogical crafts and a metaphor for stability. Its presence in a setting often provides a tactile, sensory detail that grounds a narrative in a specific socio-economic or historical context, emphasizing the domestic labor often associated with the item.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A small tool for laundry.
- Uses a spring to grip fabric.
- Commonly called a peg in the UK.
- Very useful for crafts too.
A clothespin is a simple yet incredibly useful household tool. You have likely seen them used to hang laundry outside on a sunny day. The primary purpose is to keep your clothes from blowing away in the wind while they air dry.
Most modern versions use a spring mechanism to create a strong grip. When you squeeze the top, the bottom opens up, allowing you to slide the fabric in. Once you let go, the spring snaps it shut, holding your clothes firmly in place. It is a classic example of simple physics in everyday life!
The history of the clothespin is quite fascinating. Before the spring-loaded version we know today, people used simple, one-piece wooden pegs. These were often carved by hand and relied on friction to hold the clothes.
The spring-loaded design was patented in the mid-19th century. This innovation made laundry day much easier for families around the world. In British English, you might hear people call them clothes pegs, which reflects the older, non-spring style of pegging items to a line.
You will mostly hear this word in the context of chores or laundry. People often say they are "hanging out the wash" using clothespins. It is a very neutral term used in daily conversation.
Common collocations include wooden clothespins, plastic clothespins, and using a clothespin. While it is not a formal academic word, it is essential vocabulary for describing household tasks. You might also see them used in craft projects, which is a fun, non-laundry use for these handy little clips!
While there are few formal idioms, clothespins often appear in creative expressions. 1. "Put a clothespin on your nose": Used when something smells very bad. 2. "Peg out": An informal British slang term meaning to die, derived from the old term for clothes pegs. 3. "Clothespin doll": A classic craft where a clothespin is decorated to look like a person. 4. "Holding it together": Sometimes used metaphorically to describe someone keeping their life in order, similar to how a pin holds laundry. 5. "A tight grip": Referring to someone who is stingy or holds onto money, like a clothespin holds a shirt.
The word is a countable noun. You can have one clothespin or many clothespins. It follows standard pluralization rules by adding an 's'.
Pronunciation is straightforward: /ˈkloʊðz.pɪn/. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like twin, skin, and pin. Remember that the 'th' sound is voiced, similar to the word 'clothes'.
Fun Fact
The spring-loaded version was a major invention in the 1800s.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'cloze-pin'.
Sounds like 'cloh-thz-pin'.
Common Errors
- Missing the 'z' sound
- Pronouncing 'th' as 't'
- Stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to use
Common word
Clear pronunciation
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Compound Nouns
clothespin
Countable Nouns
one clothespin, two clothespins
Voiced vs Unvoiced TH
clothes
Examples by Level
I have a clothespin.
I have a clip.
Simple subject-verb-object.
The clothespin is red.
The clip is red.
Adjective usage.
Use a clothespin.
Use the clip.
Imperative.
Where is the clothespin?
Where is the clip?
Question word.
I see a clothespin.
I see a clip.
Verb usage.
This is my clothespin.
This is mine.
Possessive pronoun.
Put the clothespin here.
Place the clip here.
Prepositional phrase.
I need a clothespin.
I require a clip.
Verb need.
I use a clothespin for my socks.
The clothespin is on the line.
Can you pass me a clothespin?
She bought new clothespins.
The clothespin fell off the line.
I lost my clothespin.
These clothespins are very strong.
Keep the clothespins in the bag.
She carefully attached the shirt with a clothespin.
The wooden clothespin snapped in half.
We need more clothespins for the towels.
He used a clothespin to hold the bag shut.
The wind was too strong for the clothespins.
I found an old clothespin in the drawer.
Plastic clothespins last longer than wood.
She pegged the clothes with a clothespin.
The laundry was secured firmly with several clothespins.
Despite the storm, the clothespins held the sheets.
She utilized a clothespin to organize her papers.
The design of the modern clothespin is quite ingenious.
He improvised a clip using a broken clothespin.
Clothespins are often used in elementary school crafts.
The line was full of clothes held by clothespins.
She prefers wooden clothespins for their aesthetic.
The rows of laundry, held by weathered clothespins, swayed in the breeze.
The clothespin became a makeshift tool for his repair project.
She recalled the days of hanging laundry with traditional clothespins.
The simplicity of the clothespin belies its mechanical efficiency.
He used a clothespin to seal the package of snacks.
The image of the clothespin evoked a sense of domestic tranquility.
His invention was essentially a modified clothespin.
The clothespin remained a staple of the household utility drawer.
The humble clothespin serves as a poignant symbol of domestic labor throughout the century.
She meticulously arranged the linens, securing each with a sturdy clothespin.
The mechanism of the clothespin is a classic study in tension and leverage.
The clothespin, once a hand-carved necessity, is now a mass-produced commodity.
His grasp on the situation was as tenuous as a single clothespin on a heavy sheet.
The collection of vintage clothespins displayed a history of craftsmanship.
She utilized the clothespin as an impromptu clamp for her artistic endeavor.
The rhythmic snapping of the clothespins marked the start of the laundry routine.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"clothespin on the nose"
To block a bad smell.
It smells so bad I need a clothespin on my nose.
casual"peg out"
To die (British slang).
The old cat finally pegged out.
casual"fit as a peg"
To be well-suited.
He fits the job like a peg in a hole.
informal"take down a peg"
To humble someone.
He needs to be taken down a peg or two.
idiomatic"square peg in a round hole"
Someone who doesn't fit in.
He felt like a square peg in a round hole.
idiomatic"peg away"
To work hard at something.
Just keep pegging away at your studies.
idiomaticEasily Confused
Both relate to laundry.
The line is the rope; the pin is the clip.
Hang the clothes on the line with a pin.
Part of the name.
A pin is usually for sewing; a clothespin is for laundry.
Use a sewing pin for fabric, a clothespin for a shirt.
General term.
Clip is broad; clothespin is specific.
A clothespin is a type of clip.
Regional synonym.
Peg is UK; clothespin is US.
She used a peg (UK) or a clothespin (US).
Sentence Patterns
I use a [word] to [verb]
I use a clothespin to hold my shirt.
The [word] is on the [noun]
The clothespin is on the line.
Attach the [noun] with a [word]
Attach the sheet with a clothespin.
She bought a bag of [word]s
She bought a bag of clothespins.
The [word] kept the [noun] secure
The clothespin kept the fabric secure.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The word is 'clothe' + 'spin', not 'cloth'.
Peg is more common in UK English.
This is actually correct, but learners often forget the 's'.
The pin is the clip, the line is the rope.
The 'th' must be voiced.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a giant clothespin on your laundry line.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about drying clothes outdoors.
Cultural Insight
It represents eco-friendly living.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a compound noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the 'th' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't call it a 'cloth-pin'.
Did You Know?
They are great for holding potato chip bags closed!
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about your daily chores.
Register Check
Use 'clothespin' in the US, 'peg' in the UK.
Rhyme Time
Rhymes with 'twin'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Clothes + Pin = Clothespin.
Visual Association
Imagine a giant clothespin holding a shirt to the sun.
Word Web
Challenge
Go find a clip at home and describe it using the word.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A pin for clothes.
Cultural Context
None.
Common in homes with outdoor drying lines.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Doing laundry
- Hang the clothes
- Use a clothespin
- Dry in the sun
Crafting
- Decorate a clothespin
- Make a doll
- Glue it down
Kitchen
- Seal the bag
- Keep it closed
- Use as a clip
Shopping
- Buy a pack
- How much are they?
- Need more pins
Conversation Starters
"Do you hang your clothes outside to dry?"
"Have you ever used a clothespin for a craft project?"
"Do you call them clothespins or pegs?"
"What is the most unusual thing you have clipped with a clothespin?"
"Do you prefer wooden or plastic clips?"
Journal Prompts
Describe the process of hanging laundry.
Write about a childhood craft you made with a clothespin.
Why is air-drying clothes better for the environment?
How has your daily routine changed over the years?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is one word: clothespin.
Usually, yes, to keep it secure.
Yes, many people use them for crafts or sealing bags.
No, they are very cheap.
At any supermarket or home goods store.
The spring can lose tension over time.
Yes, in British English.
Wooden ones are biodegradable; plastic ones depend on the type.
Test Yourself
I use a ___ to hold my clothes.
It is the tool for holding clothes.
What is a clothespin used for?
It secures laundry.
A clothespin is a type of food.
It is a household tool.
Word
Meaning
These are related laundry items.
Subject-verb-adjective structure.
She ___ the towel with a clothespin.
Pinned is the correct verb here.
Which word is a synonym for clothespin?
A clamp acts similarly.
Clothespins can only be made of wood.
They can be plastic or metal.
Standard sentence structure.
The ___ mechanism ensures a tight grip.
The spring provides the tension.
Score: /10
Summary
A clothespin is a simple, spring-loaded tool used to keep your clothes safely attached to a drying line.
- A small tool for laundry.
- Uses a spring to grip fabric.
- Commonly called a peg in the UK.
- Very useful for crafts too.
Memory Palace Trick
Visualize a giant clothespin on your laundry line.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about drying clothes outdoors.
Cultural Insight
It represents eco-friendly living.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a compound noun.
Example
빨래집게로 빨래를 널었어요.
Related Content
More home words
에어컨
A1Air conditioner; a system for cooling indoor air.
~와
A2And, with; connects nouns or indicates accompaniment.
아파트
A1Apartment
조립하다
A2To put together the component parts of (a machine or structure); to assemble.
집에서
A2In or at one's home; at home.
다락방
A2Attic; a space or room inside the roof of a building.
베란다
A2A roofed, open-air porch attached to the outside of a house.
발코니
A2A platform projecting from the wall of a building, enclosed by a railing.
지하실
A2Basement; the floor of a building that is partly or entirely below ground level.
바구니
A2Basket
