splinter
Splinter (noun) means a thin, sharp fragment broken off from a larger piece, often wood. Example: “She got a splinter in her thumb from the old fence.”
How to use splinter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sharp broken-off fragment, or to break (literally or figuratively) into smaller pieces.
Word forms
splintered past tense, splinters plural, Splinters plural, splinters singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She got a _____ in her thumb from the old fence.
Etymology
From Middle English splinter, from Middle Dutch splinter, built from splint plus the -er suffix.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for splinter
See all rhymes for splinter →Frequently asked questions
What does “splinter” mean?
The word “splinter” means a thin, sharp fragment broken off from a larger piece, often wood. In plain terms, a sharp broken-off fragment, or to break (literally or figuratively) into smaller pieces.
How do you pronounce “splinter”?
“Splinter” is pronounced SPLIHN-tuh (/ˈsplɪn.tə/ in IPA).
How do you use “splinter” in a sentence?
Here is “splinter” used in a sentence: “She got a splinter in her thumb from the old fence.”
What is another word for “splinter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “splinter” include sliver, shard, spelk and spill.
What part of speech is “splinter”?
Depending on how it is used, “splinter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “splinter” come from?
The word “splinter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English splinter, from Middle Dutch splinter, built from splint plus the -er suffix.
Is “splinter” a common word?
“Splinter” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “splinter” have?
“Splinter” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a thin, sharp fragment broken off from a larger piece, often wood.