thumb one's nose

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word thumb one's nose. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word thumb one's nose, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say thumb one's nose in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word thumb one's nose you have here. The definition of the word thumb one's nose will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofthumb one's nose, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

See thumb, nose.

Pronunciation

Verb

A Confederate sailor thumbing his nose (gesture)

thumb one's nose (third-person singular simple present thumbs one's nose, present participle thumbing one's nose, simple past and past participle thumbed one's nose)

  1. To place a thumb upon the tip of the nose, typically with the fingers spread and while simultaneously wiggling one's fingers, in a gesture of disrespect.
    My brother thumbed his nose in reply to my snide remarks.
  2. (figuratively) To act disrespectfully, especially by flouting the object of disrespect.
    Richard Feynman delighted in thumbing his nose at the dissidents and workers.

Synonyms

  • (place a thumb upon the tip of the nose in a gesture of disrespect): cock a snook

Translations

See also