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tom
[ tom ]
/ tÉm /
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noun
the male of various animals, as the turkey.
a tomcat.
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Origin of tom
First recorded in 1755â65; generic use of the male given name Tom
Words nearby tom
toluol, toluyl, Tolyatti, tolyl, tolyl group, tom, tomahawk, tomalley, toman, Tom and Jerry, tomatillo
Other definitions for tom (2 of 3)
Tom
[ tom ]
/ tÉm /
noun
verb (used without object), Tommed, Tom·ming.
(often lowercase) to act like an Uncle Tom.
Other definitions for tom (3 of 3)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use tom in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for tom (1 of 2)
tom1
/ (tÉm) /
noun
- the male of various animals, esp the cat
- (as modifier)a tom turkey
- (in combination)a tomcat
Word Origin for tom
C16: special use of the shortened form of Thomas, applied to any male, often implying a common or ordinary type of person, etc
British Dictionary definitions for tom (2 of 2)
tom2
/ (tÉm) /
noun
Australian and NZ a temporary supporting post
Word Origin for tom
from a specialized use of tom 1
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with tom
Tom
see every tom, dick, and harry; peeping tom.
The American HeritageÂź Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.