What does skein mean?
A skein is a length of yarn or thread gathered into a loose hank so that it can be handled easily. The word also refers to a twisted bundle of fibers, such as hair, and can describe a complicated network of events, stories, or circumstances. Its vivid figurative use reflects the appearance of intertwined strands: a situation may be presented as “a skein of problems” or “a skein of tangled relationships.” The literal meaning is especially familiar to people who knit, crochet, or work with textiles, where skeins are standard units of yarn sold in shops. Although the word is not limited to textile specialists, its measured, traditional associations give it a craftsmanlike and slightly old-fashioned character. In literature and conversation, it is often chosen when the writer wants to suggest complexity rather than merely disorder.
nounA length of yarn or thread, usually wound into a loose hank, or a twisted bundle of strands. In figurative use, a skein can be a complicated network of events, stories, or circumstances.
- A length of yarn, thread, or other fibrous material, usually gathered or wound together.
- A twisted bundle of strands, especially hair or fibers.
- A tangled or interconnected series of events, stories, or circumstances.
"She bought a skein of soft blue wool to knit a scarf."
"The shopkeeper held up a skein of crimson silk to the light."
"The novel unfolds as a skein of interlocking memories and revelations."
The plural is formed by adding -s.
"The craft shop sells skeins of wool in a wide range of colors."
A skein is one of weaving's most useful measurements: the yarn is gathered into a loose, manageable hank before it is wound onto a spool.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does skein come from?
The word descends from Old English sġēn, meaning a lock or hank of yarn, and continued in Middle English in that sense. Its older textile meaning developed alongside modern figurative uses for interwoven and complicated subjects.
How skein is actually used
The literal sense is traditional and remains common in crafts, knitting, weaving, and textile contexts. The figurative sense is literary and describes something intricate, tangled, or interconnected.
Easily confused with skein
A skein is a length or bundle of yarn or thread, whereas skin is the natural outer covering of a person or animal.