thimble

B2 Topic:Tools, Machines & Construction

US /ˈθɪmbəl/ UK /ˈθɪmbəl/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like symbol /θ/ vs /s/ Sounds like cymbal /θ/ vs /s/

Freq #33289

Meanings

1

noun
a small hard cap worn over a fingertip to protect it and push a needle while sewing

She slipped a thimble onto her finger before hemming the cloth.
2

noun
the small amount that a thimble can hold

He added only a thimble of brandy to the sauce.
3

noun
a grooved metal ring fitted inside a rope or cable loop to prevent chafing

The sailor passed the cable around a steel thimble before fastening it.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a small hard cap worn over... finger guardthumbstall

2 noun · the small amount that a... thimbleful

3 noun · a grooved metal ring fitted... rope thimbleprotective ring

Word family

Derived forms thimblefulthimbled

Related forms sewing needlethumbstallferrule

Etymology

From Middle English thimel or thymbyll, from Old English thymel ('thimble, thumbstall'). It is related to thumb and contains an old suffix used for instruments. The spelling changed through association with thumb, although modern thimble is normally worn on a finger rather than specifically on the thumb.

Topics

Tools, Machines & Construction

External links

# thimble

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈθɪmbəl/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈθɪmbəl/
**Frequency rank:** 33289

## Meanings
1. a small hard cap worn over a fingertip to protect it and push a needle while sewing
2. the small amount that a thimble can hold
3. a grooved metal ring fitted inside a rope or cable loop to prevent chafing

## Examples
- She slipped a thimble onto her finger before hemming the cloth.
- He added only a thimble of brandy to the sauce.
- The sailor passed the cable around a steel thimble before fastening it.

## Synonyms
- finger guard
- thumbstall
- thimbleful

## Derived Forms
- thimbleful
- thimbled

## Related Forms
- sewing
- needle
- thumbstall
- ferrule

## Etymology
From Middle English thimel or thymbyll, from Old English thymel ('thimble, thumbstall'). It is related to thumb and contains an old suffix used for instruments. The spelling changed through association with thumb, although modern thimble is normally worn on a finger rather than specifically on the thumb.

## Topics
- Tools, Machines & Construction

markdown