English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun Uncommon

thumbnail

THUM-nayl

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Thumbnail (noun) means the fingernail on the thumb. Example: “She caught her thumbnail on the edge of the box.”

noun

1

The fingernail on the thumb.

"She caught her thumbnail on the edge of the box."

"He painted his thumbnail a bright shade of red."

"The thumbnail was bruised after the door closed on it."

2

computing A small picture used as a compact preview of a larger image, post or video.

"Click the thumbnail to open the full-size photo."

"The video's thumbnail showed a bright, eye-catching frame."

"She scrolled through rows of thumbnails looking for the right image."

How to use thumbnail

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA thumbnail is either the nail on your thumb or a small preview image you click to see something bigger.

When to use it

The image sense is common in everyday computing and social media contexts.

Memory tip

Picture the small size of an actual thumbnail to remember why small preview images share its name.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

icon →

Common pairings

video thumbnail click the thumbnail thumbnail image generate a thumbnail

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “thumbnail” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She caught her _____ on the edge of the box.

Etymology

The word combines thumb and nail, originally naming the fingernail of the thumb. The sense describing a small image later grew out of this, using the thumbnail's small size as a comparison for a compact picture.

Origin: English

Rhymes for thumbnail

rail tail pail mail nail sail fail hail jail vail bail wail

See all rhymes for thumbnail →

Frequently asked questions

What does thumbnail mean online?

Online, a thumbnail is a small preview picture that represents a larger image, video or post before it is opened.

Is a thumbnail the same as an icon?

No; a thumbnail is normally a smaller copy of the actual image itself, while an icon is a symbol standing in for something rather than a shrunken version of it.

Where does the word thumbnail come from?

It comes from combining thumb and nail, referring to the fingernail on the thumb, with the small-picture meaning developing from that sense of smallness.

What is the meaning of thumbnail?

"thumbnail" (noun) means the fingernail on the thumb.