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

The company also recently announced major project updates to YouTube that include a sleep timer, customizable playback speeds, the ability to create custom playlist thumbnails using generative AI and more. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Oct. 2024

To tell whether a branch is dead or alive, scratch the top layer of bark with your thumbnail. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Click on the thumbnail image to see what that looks like. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 27 Aug. 2018

Between the two fences that separate Reggie’s enclosure from the public is a sign with the thumbnail version of his remarkable journey to the Los Angeles Zoo 15 years ago today. —Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2022

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