a sharp excrescence on a plant, especially a sharp-pointed aborted branch; spine; prickle.
any of various thorny shrubs or trees, especially the hawthorns belonging to the genus Crataegus, of the rose family.
the wood of any of these trees.
a runic character (þ), borrowed into the Latin alphabet and representing the initial th sounds in thin and they in Old English, or thin in modern Icelandic.
something that wounds, annoys, or causes discomfort.
a sharp pointed woody extension of a stem or leaf Compare prickle
any of various trees or shrubs having thorns, esp the hawthorn
the wood of any of these plants
short for thorn moth
a Germanic character of runic origin Þ used in Old and Modern Icelandic to represent the voiceless dental fricative sound of th, as in thin, bath. Its use in phonetics for the same purpose is now obsolete See theta
this same character as used in Old and Middle English as an alternative to edh, but indistinguishable from it in function or sound Compare edh
zoology any of various sharp spiny parts
a source of irritation (esp in the phrases a thorn in one's side or flesh )
before 900; Middle English (noun), Old English; cognate with Dutch doorn, German Dorn, Old Norse thorn, Gothic thaurnus
A thorn is a sharp spike that protrudes from the stem of a plant. Roses are famous for having the sweetest fragrance and the sharpest thorns. Literal thorns, found on bushes and other plants, serve to protect plants from animals that might like to eat them. A "thorn in one's side" is an annoyance or problem: "My neighbors are a thorn in my side, with their constant loud music and crazy parties!" The source of this figurative definition is the Bible's "thorn in the flesh."
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
SNL remains a consistent thorn in his side, especially when Alec Baldwin is playing him.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
While the two countries are quick to talk up their friendship, North Korea's commitment to its nuclear programme has been a thorn in the relationship.
From Barron's ● Jun. 8, 2026
The star has been a thorn in the side of previous governments.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
“And that we have somebody that was a former All-Star pitcher, someone that was a thorn in our side as the Padres, and becomes a thorn in the side for other people.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 30, 2026
She told herself it would just feel like a thorn to the enormous cow.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
One of his main breakthrough roles was filmed in the UK in the early 1980s, when he appeared as Damien Thorn, son of the devil, in the supernatural horror Omen III: The Final Conflict.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Michaels, frontman of 1980s band Poison -- of "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" fame -- said Friday on Facebook that he made a "difficult decision to step away from this performance."
From Barron's ● May 29, 2026
Despite fewer scripted and reality TV programs being made in recent years, rebooting “Fear Factor” was a “no-brainer,” said Thorn, Fox’s TV president.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026
“We have heroes for whom we create superhuman traits,” Thorn says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
She looked at Valley and Thorn at her sides and knew she’d never be alone; even if one day they lost one another, the friends you make always stick around somehow.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
“May this persecution, like the thorns that afflicted Paul, sharpen our courage and make our faith as solid as a rock.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
It depicts a grieving Madonna, and would likely have been displayed facing an image of Christ wearing a crown of thorns.
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2026
You’re taking a promenade in a rose garden filled with thorns — forgive my “Bridgerton” evocation.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 6, 2026
Its poisonous thorns also injure livestock, leaving them too weak to roam for food, he added.
From Barron's ● Nov. 12, 2025
But she walked without regard to burrs or thorns, for as she stepped forth the ground beneath her became carpeted with fluorescent rose petals.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
