thumb

[ thuhm ]

noun

1. the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
2. the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.
3. the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.
4. Architecture. an ovolo or echinus molding.

verb (used with object)

1. to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.
2. to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.
3. to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.
4. (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.

thumb

/ θʌm /

noun

1. the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bones Technical namepollex pollical
2. the corresponding digit in other vertebrates
3. the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb
4. architect another name for ovolo
5. all thumbs
   clumsy
6. thumbs down
   an indication of refusal, disapproval, or negation

   he gave the thumbs down on our proposal

7. thumbs up
   an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance
8. under someone's thumb
   at someone's mercy or command

verb

1. tr to touch, mark, or move with the thumb
2. to attempt to obtain (a lift or ride) by signalling with the thumb
3. whenintr, often foll by through to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents
4. thumb one's nose at
   to deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended

Derived Forms

• ˈthumbˌlike, adjective
• ˈthumbless, adjective

Other Words From

• thumbless adjective
• thumblike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumb¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English thūma; cognate with Dutch duim, Old Saxon, Old High German dūmo ( German Daumen ), Old Norse thumall; akin to Latin tumēre to swell ( tumor )

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumb¹

Old English thūma; related to Old Saxon thūma, Old High German thūmo, Old Norse thumall thumb of a glove, Latin tumēre to swell

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling:

   The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.

2. thumb one's nose,
   1. to put one's thumb to one's nose and extend the fingers as a crudely defiant or contemptuous gesture.
   2. to express defiance or contempt; dismiss or reject contemptuously.
3. thumbs down, a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval:

   We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.

4. thumbs up, a gesture or expression of assent or approval.
5. under one's thumb, under the power or influence of; subordinate to. Also under the thumb of.

More idioms and phrases containing thumb

• all thumbs
• green thumb
• rule of thumb
• stick out (like a sore thumb)
• twiddle one's thumbs
• under someone's thumb

Example Sentences

“The government putting its thumb on the scale in these ways would harm consumers, developers and American technological leadership at precisely the moment it is most needed.”

From New York Times

Cam Reddish, who had helped the Lakers go undefeated since his move to the starting five, also couldn’t play because of ankle and thumb injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

He says one of the kits gave a veterinarian a very serious bite on his thumb.

From NewsForKids.net

As the talks faltered, Washington put its thumb on the scales, suspending aid to Ethiopia, while Trump suggested that Egypt might "blow up" the dam.

From BBC

He took out his phone, smiled, and took a picture of himself with the huge “Trump” sign in the background, as he gave a big “thumbs up”.

From Salon

Related Words

• claw
• index finger
• ring finger