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

Quick Photo Imports The photo import dialog groups zoomable thumbnails of images on the card by date. —PCMAG, 12 Nov. 2024

By analyzing microfossils — fossils about the size of a thumbnail — within the limestone, researchers found that the tiny ancient organisms preserved in the stone were from Europe, according to a study published September 4 in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 31 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