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

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

As a rule of thumb, smart meters in the northern region designed to connect to the radio signal have two small indicator lights on the communications hub, fitted to the top of the smart meter.

From BBC

The thumb has long been on the scale for rapists, misogynists and bigots.

From Salon

Purcell takes that public-interest idea, makes it very specific, says it’s just about elections, and puts a huge thumb on the scale to disfavor last-minute federal court intervention in elections.

From Slate

And in one of his recent writings on this, he kind of suggested a modified version of this four-part test that really puts a huge thumb on the scale disfavoring federal court intervention.

From Slate

Related Words

• claw
• index finger
• ring finger