tom

¹ American  

[tom] / tɒm /

noun

1. the male of various animals, as the turkey.

2. a tomcat.

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Tom ² American  

[tom] / tɒm /

noun

1. Uncle Tom.

2. a male given name, form of Thomas.

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verb (used without object)

Tommed, Tomming

1. (often lowercase) to act like an Uncle Tom.

ToM ³ American  

Or TOM

abbreviation

1. theory of mind.

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tom ¹ British  

/ tɒm /

noun

1. 1. the male of various animals, esp the cat

   2. ( as modifier )

      a tom turkey

   3. ( in combination )

      a tomcat

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tom ² British  

/ tɒm /

noun

1. a temporary supporting post

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Tom Idioms  

1. see every tom, dick, and harry; peeping tom.

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Etymology

Origin of tom

First recorded in 1755–65; generic use of the male given name Tom

Example Sentences

And Vijay Singh in 2001 went with a Thai menu that included tom kha gai soup, chicken panang curry, garlic sea scallops and Chilean sea bass with a three-flavor chili sauce.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

It also shines in fish stews and soups of all kinds, from cacciucco to tom kha gai to cioppino or caldeirada.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2025

The sheer deliciousness of the red-orange-oil-slicked tom yum version — with huge wild-caught Gulf shrimp and just-right spice — makes sense now, knowing the Lertsirisins’ story.

From Seattle Times • May 9, 2024

Tiravanija’s early relational pieces — offering curry and tom ka soup, sodas and beers, grass mats and pillows for weary visitors — appeared as museums increasingly promoted the politics of multiculturalism.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2023

One was an elegant Pentoshi, grey-haired and clad in silk but for his cloak, a ragged thing sewn from dozens of strips of tom, bloodstained cloth.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• kitten
• kitty