Thimble in Irish (Méarán): Meaning & Pronunciation

Q: What is the Irish for thimble?

The Irish for thimble is méarán (pronounced “MAY-rawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is méaráin. Depending on context it can also mean fingerstall.

Q: What is the plural of thimble in Irish?

The plural of méarán is méaráin; with the article, na méaráin means “the thimbles”. The genitive plural is méarán, as in bailiúchán méarán (a collection of thimbles).

Q: Does méarán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méarán can mean thimble or fingerstall, depending on context; the first is the most common.

How to say “thimble” in Irish

Irish:: méarán
English:: thimble, fingerstall
Word type:: noun
Gender:: masculine
Pronunciation:: “MAY-rawn” /mʲeːɾˠaːnˠ/

Various forms

Plural:: méaráin (thimbles)
Genitive singular:: méaráin, an mhéaráin (e.g. barr an mhéaráin, the top of the thimble)
Genitive plural:: méarán, na méarán (e.g. bailiúchán méarán, a collection of thimbles)

What does “méarán” mean?

“Méarán” has two alternative meanings. The most common comes first.

thimble: A small metal or plastic cap worn on the finger to push the needle when sewing.Also: sewing thimble, finger guard.

1 other meaning: fingerstall

2fingerstall: A small covering or sheath put over a sore or injured finger.Also: finger cover, finger sheath.

Other Irish words for thimble: méaracán (thimble)

“Méarán” with the article

The plural of thimble in Irish is méaráin. Here is méarán after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.

an méarán

the thimble

No change after an

na méaráin

the thimbles

Plural: no change after na

“Méarán” in a sentence: Irish examples

Common Irish sentences using méarán, the Irish word for thimble.

Cuir ort méarán sula dtosaíonn tú ag fuáil.

Put on a thimble before you start sewing.

Cá bhfuil an méarán a bhí agam inné?

Where is the thimble I had yesterday?

Tá poll i mbarr an mhéaráin.

There is a hole in the top of the thimble.

Bhailigh mo sheanmháthair méaráin as gach tír.

My grandmother collected thimbles from every country.

Chaill mé mo mhéarán airgid.

I lost my silver thimble.

Bíonn an méarán i gcónaí sa bhosca fuála.

The thimble is always in the sewing box.

Tá méarán i bhfolach sa chíste.

There is a thimble hidden in the cake.

Other nouns in Irish

More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.

tiarnalord cléleft stocstock coscban eaglaischurch aidhmaim

Thimble in Irish: frequently asked questions

What is the Irish for thimble?

The Irish for thimble is méarán (pronounced “MAY-rawn”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is méaráin. Depending on context it can also mean fingerstall.

How do you pronounce méarán in Irish?

Méarán is said like “MAY-rawn” (IPA /mʲeːɾˠaːnˠ/).

What is the plural of thimble in Irish?

The plural of méarán is méaráin; with the article, na méaráin means “the thimbles”. The genitive plural is méarán, as in bailiúchán méarán (a collection of thimbles).

Does méarán have more than one meaning?

Yes. Méarán can mean thimble or fingerstall, depending on context; the first is the most common.

Why does méarán change to mhéarán?

After words like mo (my) and do (your) the first letter is lenited: mo mhéarán. After ár (our) it stays ár méarán, because m does not take eclipsis.

Is 'méarán' related to 'méar'?

Yes, 'méarán' is a diminutive formed from 'méar' (finger), literally a little finger-piece, hence a thimble.

What is 'méirín' or 'méaróg' compared with 'méarán'?

'Méarán' is the standard word for a thimble; 'méaróg' usually means a fish finger or a pebble, so do not confuse them.

Thimble in Irish (Méarán): Meaning, Pronunciation, Usage