thumbnail

1 of 2

noun

thumb·​nail ˈthəm-ˌnāl How to pronounce thumbnail (audio)
-ˈnāl
Synonyms of thumbnailnext
1
: the nail of the thumb
2
: a miniature computer graphic sometimes hyperlinked to a full-size version

thumbnail

2 of 2

adjective

: concise, brief
a thumbnail sketch

Synonyms of thumbnail

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Adjective

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Examples of thumbnail in a Sentence

Noun You can see a larger version of the picture by clicking on the thumbnail. Adjective a thumbnail outline of the plot of the novel
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
Thumb knives are silicone sleeves that slip over your thumb and hold a small blade where your thumbnail is located, giving you more cutting power per pinch. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 May 2026 Well the thumbnail for Love Island USA pretty deftly explains why these shows are popular. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 5 June 2026
Adjective
What follows is a thumbnail survey of prison museums throughout the United States, selected for their geographic spread; some are widely known, while others are small gems that deserve a closer look. — Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2022 So the thumbnail version that gets repeated is that the concept of telework was invented by a guy called Jack Nilles, who was a NASA engineer who’s actually still alive. — The Politics Of Everything, The New Republic, 13 Jan. 2021 See All Example Sentences for thumbnail

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thumbnail was in 1604

Phrases Containing thumbnail

Rhymes for thumbnail

See All Rhymes for thumbnail

Browse Nearby Words

thumb mold
thumbnail
thumbnail sketch
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thumbnail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbnail. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thumbnail

1 of 2 noun
thumb·​nail ˈthəm-ˌnāl How to pronounce thumbnail (audio)
-ˈnā(ə)l
1
: the nail of the thumb
2
: a miniature computer graphic sometimes connected by a hyperlink to a larger version

thumbnail

2 of 2 adjective
thumb·​nail
ˌthəm-ˌnāl
: brief entry 1
wrote a thumbnail sketch of the poet

More from Merriam-Webster on thumbnail

Nglish: Translation of thumbnail for Spanish Speakers

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