thorn

[ thawrn ]

/ θɔrn /

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noun

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.

verb (used with object)

to prick with a thorn; vex.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about thorn

thorn in one's side / flesh, a source of continual irritation or suffering: That child is a thorn in the teacher's side.

Origin of thorn

before 900; Middle English (noun), Old English; cognate with Dutch doorn,German Dorn,Old Norse thorn,Gothic thaurnus

OTHER WORDS FROM thorn

thornless, adjectivethornlike, adjectiveun·thorn, verb (used with object)

Other definitions for thorn (2 of 2)

Thorn

[ tawrn ]

/ tɔrn /

noun

German name of Toruń.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use thorn in a sentence

Shirley Weber has developed a reputation for being a thorn in the side of teachers unions after she pushed school accountability efforts and refused to denounce charter schools.
Candidates’ Take on Labor Will Shape Race for 79th Assembly District|Bella Ross|February 18, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Wine has been a thorn in Museveni’s side ever since he transitioned from a hip-hop star to a social activist calling for better leadership and more opportunities for Uganda’s youth.
'Museveni Is Scared.' Uganda's Aging Strongman Faces a Challenge from Singer Bobi Wine in an Election Plagued by Unrest|Aryn Baker|January 13, 2021|Time
The stalks have alternate branching and sharp, curved thorns.
13 edible plants you can still find in the winter|By Tim MacWelch/Outdoor Life|December 1, 2020|Popular-Science
Well, wireless signal has long been a thorn in Roku's side—many households have weak or suboptimally placed routers.
Roku’s big announcements today: A new Ultra player, soundbar, and AirPlay 2 support|Samuel Axon|September 28, 2020|Ars Technica

Swinging down by his legs and one hand, he thrust the thorned branch of acacia deep in under the ruff.
In the Morning of Time|Charles G. D. Roberts
He made good time, as here the going was little obstructed by creepers or thorned "wait-a-minute."
Terry|Charles Goff Thomson
Dwarf-palm is to be found on all sides, together with the arar or citrus, and the double-thorned lotus.
Morocco|S.L. Bensusan
It was no haphazard way, though bushes required careful watching, the double-thorned lotus being too common for comfort.
Morocco|S.L. Bensusan
He knocked at the door with a knotted end of the crooked thorned staff upon which he leaned.
Otto of the Silver Hand|Howard Pyle

British Dictionary definitions for thorn (1 of 2)

thorn

/ (θɔːn) /

noun

a sharp pointed woody extension of a stem or leafCompare prickle (def. 1)

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 obsoleteSee theta

this same character as used in Old and Middle English as an alternative to edh, but indistinguishable from it in function or soundCompare edh

zoology any of various sharp spiny parts

a source of irritation (esp in the phrases a thorn in one's side or flesh)

Derived forms of thorn

thornless, adjective

Word Origin for thorn

Old English; related to Old High German dorn, Old Norse thorn

British Dictionary definitions for thorn (2 of 2)

Thorn

/ (toːrn) /

noun

the German name for Toruń

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

Scientific definitions for thorn

thorn

[ thôrn ]

A short, hard, pointed part of a stem or branch of a woody plant. Compare spine.

thorn

Idioms about thorn

Origin of thorn

OTHER WORDS FROM thorn

Other definitions for thorn (2 of 2)

Words related to thorn

How to use thorn in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for thorn (1 of 2)

Derived forms of thorn

Word Origin for thorn

British Dictionary definitions for thorn (2 of 2)

Scientific definitions for thorn