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

Lai, a billionaire media tycoon who had long been a thorn in the side of Beijing, was arrested in August 2020, shortly after the central Chinese government imposed a national security law that criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces. —Jennifer Jett, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024

The lawsuit, filed by California resident Victor Cho, alleges a violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act, a federal law barring the disclosure of information about viewing habits that’s long been a thorn in the side of streaming providers. —Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024

And once again Mecole Hardman, who had the walk-off touchdown in Super Bowl LVIII, was a thorn in the 49ers’ side. —Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

When/where: 6 p.m. Friday at Jeffco Stadium Last meeting: Columbine 30, at Ralston Valley 14, Oct. 6, 2023 The other 5A Metro League showdown this week is a grudge match between perennial 5A powers that are constantly a thorn in each other’s sides. —Matt Schubert, The Denver Post, 16 Oct. 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