black thumb
noun
US
: a notable inability to make plants grow : a tendency to fail as a gardener
Ever since I was a child, I was known for a really bad black thumb—I could not grow anything, and even worse, plants seemed to die under my supervision, even the plastic kind.—
Monica Bhide, Chicago Sun-Times, 13 Apr. 2011
Monica Bhide, Chicago Sun-Times, 13 Apr. 2011In addition, I have a black thumb that can kill a petunia at 10 paces.—Rob Pudim, Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sept. 2009
Rob Pudim, Salt Lake Tribune, 11 Sept. 2009
also
: a person who has a black thumb
Calling all black thumbs and those who are averse to flower arranging: Hardy succulents are the perfect solution for anyone who can't remember to water plants or who struggles to pull together a centerpiece. —Good Housekeeping, 1 Sept. 2010
Good Housekeeping, 1 Sept. 2010 Even black thumbs will have a hard time killing plants in this self-watering pot. —Wendy Manwarren, Redbook, 1 June 2009
compare green thumb
Wendy Manwarren, Redbook, 1 June 2009
black-thumbed
adjective
ˈblak-ˈthəmd
Even a black-thumbed buddy can tend voluptuous tuberous begonias, which are happy in a less-than-light-filled home, or cultivate highly textured scented geraniums …
—Laura Kalehoff, Self, February 2008
Laura Kalehoff, Self, February 2008
The terrarium is ideal for the black-thumbed gardener who kills anything green.
—Mary-Liz Shaw, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2007
Mary-Liz Shaw, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 28 Jan. 2007
Dictionary Entries Near black thumb
Cite this Entry
“Black thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20thumb. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share