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.
SNL remains a consistent thorn in his side, especially when Alec Baldwin is playing him.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
Will it be a case of rose meet thorn?
From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026
The star has been a thorn in the side of previous governments.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 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
The cart track crossed by a brick culvert and climbed the opposite slope to a five-barred gate in the thorn hedge.
From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams
Also on the heavily discounted list are premium varieties like Black Thorn, but the cheapest are the "kampung durians", which are so low on the pecking order that they are yet to be named.
From BBC ● Jun. 29, 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
Thorn Rose accepts him and everyone rejoices—but soon they all fall asleep again, suggesting that the cycle will repeat forever.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 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
Valley’s eyes narrowed, and Thorn and Seven turned to follow her gaze.
From "Witchlings" by Claribel A. Ortega
“By Design” cleverly drapes its thematic thorns in ornate production design and costuming, making its emotional impact all the more deceptive.
From Salon ● Feb. 18, 2026
Sam had six of them, including a crown of thorns, pilot wings and his fraternity symbols.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 14, 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
Long cream-colored banners whip through the air, flying Eldred’s symbol—a tree that is half white flowers and half thorns, roots dangling beneath it and a crown atop.
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.
