Meaning & use

thumb

noun·Everyday

The short, thick first digit of the human hand, set apart from the other four fingers.

See it in a sentence

He gave a thumbs-up to show that the plan worked.

She hurt her thumb trying to open the stubborn jar.

A note on using this word

Appears in many idioms, such as 'thumbs up,' 'rule of thumb,' and 'under someone's thumb.'

Words with a similar meaning

This term is best learned through its definition and examples.

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To signal for a ride by holding out one's thumb, or to flip through pages quickly.

He thumbed through the magazine while waiting for his appointment.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “thumb”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.