thumb

[ thuhm ]

/ θʌm /

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See synonyms for: thumb / thumbed / thumbing on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

the corresponding digit in other animals; pollex.

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

Architecture. an ovolo or echinus molding.

verb (used with object)

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

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

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

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

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Idioms about thumb

all thumbs, awkward; clumsy; bungling: The visitor almost knocked over a vase and seemed to be all thumbs.

thumb one's nose,

to put one's thumb to one's nose and extend the fingers as a crudely defiant or contemptuous gesture.
to express defiance or contempt; dismiss or reject contemptuously.

thumbs down, a gesture or expression of dissent or disapproval: We turned thumbs down to that suggestion.

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

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

Origin of thumb

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)

OTHER WORDS FROM thumb

thumbless, adjectivethumblike, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use thumb in a sentence

By September, he was flashing a thumbs-up to assembled fans as he walked into court in a Barcelona suburb.
Is Soccer Great Lionel Messi Corrupt?|Jack Holmes|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And I just saw him as I was leaving and gave him the thumbs-up and he mouthed, “Thank you,” and that was it.
Kevin Smith's Marijuanaissance: On 'Tusk,' 'Falling Out' with Ben Affleck, and 20 Years of 'Clerks'|Marlow Stern|September 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His comical antics come to an end once the guard retreats to his box after giving his fellow guardsman a thumbs-up.
Hunt To Identify Pirouetting 'Bearskin' Guardsman Who Shamed Army|Tom Sykes|September 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We cannot dither, we cannot just twiddle our thumbs, or wait and see.
After Steven Sotloff Murder, Congress Demands a Vote on Obama’s ISIS War|Josh Rogin|September 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Ebert gave James the proverbial two thumbs up, and the project was a go.
‘Life Itself’: A Fitting, Heartrending Tribute to Cinema’s Great Appreciator Roger Ebert|Marlow Stern|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This broad end is played with the thumbs, the instrument being held with both hands.
Journal of a Voyage to Brazil|Maria Graham
Ward sat back in his swivel chair, hooked his thumbs into the arm holes of his vest and beamed.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
I have seen a man hung up to a beam by his thumbs because he would not give up money which perhaps he did not possess.
Hunted and Harried|R.M. Ballantyne
I have seen more alligators than you can count fingers and thumbs on your little dimpled hands.
The Nursery, December 1881, Vol. XXX|Various
This was lucky, for a man may get along with damaged thumbs, but it would have been hard to travel with crippled legs!
Hunted and Harried|R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for thumb

thumb

/ (θʌm) /

noun

the first and usually shortest and thickest of the digits of the hand, composed of two short bonesTechnical name: pollex Related adjective: pollical

the corresponding digit in other vertebrates

the part of a glove shaped to fit the thumb

architect another name for ovolo

all thumbs clumsy

thumbs down an indication of refusal, disapproval, or negationhe gave the thumbs down on our proposal

thumbs up an indication of encouragement, approval, or acceptance

under someone's thumb at someone's mercy or command

verb

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

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

(when intr, often foll by through) to flip the pages of (a book, magazine, etc) perfunctorily in order to glance at the contents

thumb one's nose at to deride or mock, esp by placing the thumb on the nose with fingers extended

Derived forms of thumb

thumbless, adjectivethumblike, adjective

Word Origin for thumb

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

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

Medical definitions for thumb

thumb

[ thŭm ]

The short thick digit of the human hand, next to the index finger and opposable to each of the other four digits.

Other Idioms and Phrases with thumb

thumb

In addition to the idioms beginning with thumb

thumb a ride
thumb one's nose
thumbs up

also see:

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

thumb

Idioms about thumb

Origin of thumb

OTHER WORDS FROM thumb

Words related to thumb

How to use thumb in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for thumb

Derived forms of thumb

Word Origin for thumb

Medical definitions for thumb

Other Idioms and Phrases with thumb