thumb
thumb Lexical Profile
thumb Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The short, thick first digit of the human hand, set lower and apart from the other four and opposable to them.
"She accidentally hit her thumb with the hammer while trying to drive the nail."
The part of a glove or mitten that is designed to cover the thumb.
"There was a small hole developing in the thumb of his winter glove."
• verb
To turn the pages of a book or magazine quickly or idly with one's thumb.
"He sat in the waiting room and thumbed through an old magazine."
To solicit a ride from passing vehicles by holding out one's hand with the thumb raised.
"With no buses running, they had to thumb a ride to the next town."
To press, move, or smudge something using the thumb.
"He thumbed a coin into the vending machine slot and pressed the button."
• Rhymes for thumb
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English þūma, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch duim and German Daumen; ultimately from an Indo-European root meaning 'to swell'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.