thumbnail

American  

[thuhm-neyl] / ˈθʌmˌneɪl /

noun

1. the nail of the thumb.

2. anything quite small or brief, as a small drawing or short essay.

3. Printing. a small, rough dummy.

4. Also called porkchop.  Journalism, Printing. a half-column portrait in a newspaper.

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adjective

1. quite small or brief; concise.

   a thumbnail description of Corsica.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a thumbnail sketch or description of.

thumbnail British  

/ ˈθʌmˌneɪl /

noun

1. the nail of the thumb

2. (modifier) concise and brief

   a thumbnail sketch

3. computing a small image which can be expanded

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Etymology

Origin of thumbnail

First recorded in 1595–1605; thumb + nail

Example Sentences

Gensler’s daughter created the show’s thumbnail art; his son-in-law built its website.

From Barron's • Apr. 18, 2026

On X, Kurt Caz dismissed criticism of the thumbnail as "clickbait" and said "if you're going to do a hit piece on me do it properly".

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

But if that thumbnail sketch makes “Lux” sound like homework, the songs themselves are immediate and visceral, and the singer’s impassioned delivery is an invitation to listen more closely.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

I look for the jade plant in front of our apartment building, whose leaves I would press with my thumbnail while waiting for my parents to come downstairs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2025

A tiny flake of flint, no bigger than his thumbnail: probably dropped by someone sharpening a knife.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver