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rule of thumb
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noun
a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate.
a rough, practical method of procedure.
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Origin of rule of thumb
First recorded in 1685–95
Words nearby rule of thumb
rule of eleven, rule of engagement, rule of law, rule of the road, rule of three, rule of thumb, rule out, ruler, rulership, Rules, rules committee
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use rule of thumb in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for rule of thumb
rule of thumb
noun
- a rough and practical approach, based on experience, rather than a scientific or precise one based on theory
- (as modifier)a rule-of-thumb decision
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for rule of thumb
rule of thumb
A practical principle that comes from the wisdom of experience and is usually but not always valid: “When playing baseball, a good rule of thumb is to put your best hitter fourth in the batting order.”
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with rule of thumb
rule of thumb
A rough and useful principle or method, based on experience rather than precisely accurate measures. For example, His work with the youth group is largely by rule of thumb. This expression alludes to making rough estimates of measurements by using one's thumb. [Second half of 1600s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.