thumb·nail
ˈthəm-ˌnāl 
-ˈnāl
1
: the nail of the thumb
2
: a miniature computer graphic sometimes hyperlinked to a full-size version
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
Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
YouTube feeds by hooking them in with a clicky thumbnail.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for thumbnail
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Noun
The thumbnail of the story is that Iamaleava was a successful quarterback who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, then abruptly picked up stakes to head closer to home and play for UCLA.
—Eddie Pells, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2025
YouTube feeds by hooking them in with a clicky thumbnail.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 10 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for thumbnail
Cite this Entry
“Thumbnail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbnail. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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