green thumb

American  

noun

1. an exceptional aptitude for gardening or for growing plants successfully.

   Houseplants provide much pleasure for the city dweller with a green thumb.

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green thumb British  

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): green fingers.  considerable talent or ability to grow plants

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green thumb Cultural  

1. A knack for growing plants and keeping them healthy: “All my houseplants are in sorry shape; it's clear I don't have a green thumb.”

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green thumb Idioms  

1. A knack for making plants grow well, as in Just look at Louise's plants—she really has a green thumb. This term presumably alludes to the stained fingers of an avid gardener. [First half of 1900s]

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Other Word Forms

• green-thumber
  noun
• green-thumbed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of green thumb

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

green thumb

I haven’t perfected my green thumb, but I’m working on it.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2025

My reading also resolved a lifelong obstacle to gardening: my lack of a green thumb.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 22, 2023

Planting in containers with a very good potting soil is the way to go with Superbells, though if you can duplicate in your garden bed, you will garner the green thumb there, too.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 14, 2022

Our holiday gift guide features the best tools and accessories to boost a beginner’s confidence or please a green thumb.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 2, 2022

“So you’re an artist, a musician, a green thumb, a fish lover, and a reader?”

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi