thumbnail

1 of 2

noun

thumb·​nail ˈthəm-ˌnāl 

-ˈnāl

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

Adjective

• aphoristic
• apothegmatic
• brief
• capsule
• compact
• compendious
• concise
• crisp
• curt
• elliptical
• elliptic
• epigrammatic
• laconic
• monosyllabic
• pithy
• sententious
• succinct
• summary
• telegraphic
• terse

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

Noun

Press and hold on any tab thumbnail, then drag it on top of another thumbnail to create a group. —David Nield, Popular Science, 16 May 2024

However, these pre-installed apps appear hastily made: The resized thumbnails, the choice of type, and the way game titles barely fit into their squares are all tells. —PCMAG, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1852, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing thumbnail

• thumbnail sketch

Kids Definition

thumbnail

1 of 2 noun

thumb·​nail ˈthəm-ˌnāl 

-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