What are the very fine strands of material known as?

The term "fibers" refers to very fine strands of material that can be either natural or synthetic. Fibers are crucial in the textile industry and serve as the building blocks for various fabrics and materials. They have properties such as length, strength, and flexibility, which determine their suitability for different uses, from clothing to industrial applications.

Threads, although made from fibers, are specifically designed for sewing and stitching, thus not encompassing the broader category. Yarns are made by twisting together multiple fibers or filaments to create a thicker strand suitable for knitting or weaving. Filaments are longer strands of fibers and are often used in the production of synthetic materials, but they do not broadly cover all types of fine strands like fibers do. Hence, "fibers" is the most accurate term to describe these fine strands of material in a general sense.