thumbtack

American  

[thuhm-tak] / ˈθʌmˌtæk /

noun

1. a tack with a large, flat head, designed to be thrust into a board or other fairly soft object or surface by the pressure of the thumb.

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verb (used with object)

1. to attach or tack by means of a thumbtack.

thumbtack British  

/ ˈθʌmˌtæk /

noun

1. Also called (esp in Britain): drawing pin.  a short tack with a broad smooth head for fastening papers to a drawing board, etc

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Etymology

Origin of thumbtack

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; thumb + tack ¹

Compare meaning

How does thumbtack compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• thumbtack vs. pushpin

Example Sentences

You’ll also need scissors, white paper, tape, aluminum foil and a pin or thumbtack.

From New York Times • Apr. 7, 2024

Returning to the thumbtack analogy, Polikanov said the molecule sits on its ribosome seat with such force that it drives the tack into the chair.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 15, 2024

Broadcaster TVE showed a thumbtack that its reporter on a motorbike found on the course.

From Washington Times • Aug. 28, 2023

“Honey! Did you see the picture of Angie’s labradoodle?” she might ask as I walked into her small white room to thumbtack another family photo to the otherwise bare walls.

From Slate • Jun. 4, 2023

A few grains of the powder fell onto the bridge of her nose as she used the thumbtack to stamp a dot above her eyebrows.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri