thorn

noun

ˈthȯrn 

often attributive

1

a

: a sharp rigid process on a plant

especially : one that is a short, indurated, sharp-pointed, and leafless modified stem compare prickle, spine

b

: any of various sharp spinose structures on an animal

2

: a woody plant bearing sharp impeding processes (such as prickles or spines)

especially : hawthorn

3

: something that causes distress or irritation

—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side

4

: the runic letter þ used in Old English and Middle English to represent either of the fricatives \th\ or \t͟h\ and in Icelandic to represent \th\

thorned

ˈthȯrnd 

adjective

thornless

ˈthȯrn-ləs 

adjective

thornlike

ˈthȯrn-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• aggravation
• aggro [British]
• annoyance
• bother
• botheration
• bugbear
• exasperation
• frustration
• hair shirt
• hassle
• headache
• inconvenience
• irk
• irritant
• nuisance
• peeve
• pest
• rub
• ruffle
• trial
• vexation

Examples of thorn in a Sentence

your constant questions are a thorn in my side

Recent Examples on the Web

Basically, her blooming on the carpet and covered in these thorns. —Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 7 May 2024

The interlaced branches of the trees above were not the thorn or fever trees of Africa, but American fir and spruce. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German dorn thorn, Sanskrit tṛṇa grass, blade of grass

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing thorn

• a thorn in the/someone's flesh/side
• Christ's-thorn
• Christ-thorn
• Jerusalem thorn
• thorn apple

Kids Definition

thorn

noun

ˈthȯ(ə)rn 

1

: a woody plant bearing sharp processes (as prickles or spines)

especially : hawthorn

2

: a sharp stiff process on a plant

especially : a stem modified into a short, stiff, and leafless sharp point

3

: something or someone that causes distress or irritation

—often used in the phrase thorn in one's side

thorned

ˈthȯ(ə)rnd 

adjective

thornless

ˈthȯ(ə)rn-ləs 

adjective