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Definition of thistle

thistle

/ˈθɪs.əl/
this · tle
Plural:thistles
•
Adjective:thistly
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thistle Lexical Profile

thistle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A widely distributed herbaceous plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae), typically characterized by prickly stems and leaves, and rounded heads of tubular purple, pink, or white flowers.

Example

"The hikers wore thick trousers to protect their legs from the sharp thistles growing along the overgrown trail."

2

Scottish The heraldic emblem of Scotland, traditionally adopted as a symbol of defense and national resilience.

Example

"The national rugby team proudly wore jerseys embroidered with the Scottish thistle."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for thistle

• Rhymes for thistle

• Nearby Words

thimble
thimbleberry
thing
thistle
thlaspi
thompson
thomson's gazelle

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English þistel, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch distel and German Distel.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Thistle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/thistle
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