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
But in general, cleaning it twice weekly is a good rule of thumb.
—
Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Feb. 2026
How Often To Water As a rule of thumb, plan to water a succulent plant every one to two weeks in warm weather and once a month in winter so the soil has time to dry out between waterings.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
The rule of thumb is that people should have retirement savings worth one year of their annual income by age 30, then double that by age 35, and rising from there, according to Fidelity.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
One rule of thumb is to put aside enough to have access to 70%-80% of your current income.
—David McMillin, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for rule of thumb
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Brian Mastroianni, Health, 23 Feb. 2026
How Often To Water As a rule of thumb, plan to water a succulent plant every one to two weeks in warm weather and once a month in winter so the soil has time to dry out between waterings.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 Feb. 2026
The rule of thumb is that people should have retirement savings worth one year of their annual income by age 30, then double that by age 35, and rising from there, according to Fidelity.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
One rule of thumb is to put aside enough to have access to 70%-80% of your current income.
—David McMillin, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
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 2 Mar. 2026.
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