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

Luke Raley, a thorn in KC’s side all series, added an RBI single. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2024

However, partly because of the economy’s resilience to the Fed’s hawkish policies, inflation continues to be a thorn in the side of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. —Will Daniel, Fortune, 13 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