rule of thumb
noun phrase
1
: a method of procedure based on experience and common sense
2
: a general principle regarded as roughly correct but not intended to be scientifically accurate
Examples of rule of thumb in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Three good rules of thumb: Pair with something unexpected.
—
Erika Veurink, Vogue, 29 July 2025
The actual rule of thumb is that the new lineup (almost) always releases on the first Tuesday of the month and the games are revealed the previous Wednesday.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Key takeaways: The pursuit of ever-smaller tracking tags To not burden an animal, the rule of thumb is that tracking tags should be no heavier than 2 percent of an animal's mass.
—Moira Donovan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Your talks don’t have to be exactly one-minute long, but sticking to three to eight minutes is a good rule of thumb, Davis says.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of thumb
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Erika Veurink, Vogue, 29 July 2025
The actual rule of thumb is that the new lineup (almost) always releases on the first Tuesday of the month and the games are revealed the previous Wednesday.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
Key takeaways: The pursuit of ever-smaller tracking tags To not burden an animal, the rule of thumb is that tracking tags should be no heavier than 2 percent of an animal's mass.
—Moira Donovan, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2025
Your talks don’t have to be exactly one-minute long, but sticking to three to eight minutes is a good rule of thumb, Davis says.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for rule of thumb
Cite this Entry
“Rule of thumb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rule%20of%20thumb. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share