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

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Etymology

Origin of green thumb

First recorded in 1940–45

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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

A walking red flag with a green thumb, he goes by the name Narvel Roth, which is surely some sort of punishment.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2023

The pastel blue jacket also showcases noteworthy books she worked on, as well as shrubs and flowers to represent her green thumb.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 27, 2022

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

When I was little, Papa used to tell me that instead of a green thumb, Tūtū had a green ear.

From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila

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