thumb

²thumb

verb

Definition of THUMB

transitive verb

1

a : to leaf through (pages) with the thumb : turn b : to soil or wear by or as if by repeated thumbing <a badly thumbed book>

2

: to request or obtain (a ride) in a passing automobile by signaling with the thumb

intransitive verb

1

: to turn over pages <thumb through a book>

2

: to travel by thumbing rides : hitchhike <thumbed across the country>

— thumb one's nose

1

: to place the thumb at one's nose and extend the fingers as a gesture of scorn or defiance

2

: to express disdain or defiance <thumb their nose at opulence — Sales Management>

Examples of THUMB

1. I thumbed a ride to school.
2. He thumbed his way to New York.
3. He thumbed across the country.

First Known Use of THUMB

circa 1647

Related to THUMB

Synonyms: hitch, hitchhike

Related Words: bum; stow away; carjack, hijack (also highjack)

Near Antonyms: pore (over); study

see all synonyms and antonyms

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