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."
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Quill & Arrow, a personal injury firm that represents drivers suing over so-called “lemons” — vehicles with significant, unfixable manufacturing flaws — has long been a thorn in the side of Ford.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026
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 idea that Lebanon was sold separately on the cease-fire discussions was probably the biggest thorn in the side of investors coming into today,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth Management.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026
She examined a rosebush and traced a long nail along the curve of a thorn.
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
The safari park lost its previous bull Thorn, who fathered 29 calves over the course of his life, in 2024.
From BBC ● Jun. 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
“House reality is having another moment again,” said Fox TV President Michael Thorn, referring to the concept of grouping contestants under one roof for the season.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026
“Baseball,” says John Thorn, MLB’s official historian, “has been the constant.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 16, 2026
She followed the red glow from her amulet to the one right next to her, to Thorn.
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
Cardan is beside her, dressed in green velvet, with golden stitching picking out thorns tipped in blue thread.
From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black
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.
