green thumb

noun

: an unusual ability to make plants grow
green-thumbed adjective

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Get your green thumb on with Bonsai Bar x Smug Brewing March 4. Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Mar. 2023 Those with a green thumb will also appreciate the two-bed vegetable garden, perfect for Mediterranean herbs, tomatoes or lettuce. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2023 Though not in attendance at the ceremony, Cameron was also honored with the Voices for the Earth Award in recognition of the filmmaker’s green thumb. Katie Reul, Variety, 10 Feb. 2023 Find your favorite and get ready to flex your green thumb. Alyssa Gautieri, Good Housekeeping, 9 Feb. 2023 A lot of these can involve gardens and house plants, but unfortunately not everyone has a green thumb. Ellen Mcalpine, CNN Underscored, 23 Oct. 2020 Here's a great intro bundle for the aspiring green thumb. Mark Stock, Men's Health, 8 Nov. 2022 The green thumb in your life is going to be spending a lot of time out in the sun. Ysolt Usigan, Woman's Day, 26 Oct. 2022 Even choosing to fill your space with low-maintenance indoor plants like succulents and snake plants is not a guarantee that the plants will thrive in a household where no one has a green thumb. Gabriela Izquierdo, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'green thumb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of green thumb was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near green thumb

Cite this Entry

“Green thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/green%20thumb. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

green thumb

noun
: an unusual ability to make plants grow
green-thumbed
ˈgrēn-ˈthəmd
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY