thumb

[thuhm]

noun

1. the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.

2. the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.

3. the part of a glove or mitten for containing this digit.

4. Architecture.,  an ovolo or echinus molding.

verb (used with object)

1. to soil or wear with the thumbs in handling, as the pages of a book.

2. to glance through (the pages of a book, leaflet, etc.) quickly.

3. to play (a guitar or other instrument) with or as with the thumbs.

4. (of a hitchhiker) to solicit or get (a ride) by pointing the thumb in the desired direction of travel.

thumb

/ θʌm /

noun

1. Technical name: pollex. the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bones

2. the corresponding digit in other vertebrates

3. the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb

4. architect another name for ovolo

5. clumsy

6. an indication of refusal, disapproval, or negation

   he gave the thumbs down on our proposal

7. an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance

8. at someone's mercy or command

verb

1. (tr) to touch, mark, or move with the thumb

2. to attempt to obtain (a lift or ride) by signalling with the thumb

3. to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents

4. to deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended

Other Word Forms

• thumbless adjective
• thumblike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumb¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English thūma; cognate with Dutch duim, Old Saxon, Old High German dūmo ( German Daumen ), Old Norse thumall; akin to Latin tumēre to swell ( tumor )

Word History and Origins

Origin of thumb¹

Old English thūma; related to Old Saxon thūma, Old High German thūmo, Old Norse thumall thumb of a glove, Latin tumēre to swell

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. thumbs up, a gesture or expression of assent or approval.

2. under one's thumb, under the power or influence of; subordinate to. Also under the thumb of.

3. thumb one's nose,

   1. to put one's thumb to one's nose and extend the fingers as a crudely defiant or contemptuous gesture.

   2. to express defiance or contempt; dismiss or reject contemptuously.

4. thumbs down, a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval.

   We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.

5. all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling.

   The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.

More idioms and phrases containing thumb

• all thumbs
• green thumb
• rule of thumb
• stick out (like a sore thumb)
• twiddle one's thumbs
• under someone's thumb

Example Sentences

Academics have tried to come up with some rules of thumb for sizing.

Read more on Barron's

“It does get better,” and now she assesses risks from activities and foods with a quick thumbs up or thumbs down.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But some bankers worry investors might not want to own shares of firms under the thumb of whichever political party is in charge and suggested limiting the government’s power, some of the people said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

To ready her body, she ordered in Japanese last night, then had somebody administer an IV vitamin drip as she thumbed through an issue of the New Yorker.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Now we can stay until 4pm twiddling our thumbs, without fish."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• brush 
• caress 
• feel 
• handle 
• hit 
• kiss 
• lick 
• pat 
• reach 
• rub 
• strike 
• stroke 
• tap