thorn: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Literary, Biblical, Botanical
Quick answer
What does “thorn” mean?
A stiff, sharp-pointed projection on a plant stem.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A stiff, sharp-pointed projection on a plant stem.
A thing or person that causes pain or trouble; also, the name of the Old English letter Þ (representing 'th' sound).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. The letter name 'thorn' is used in historical linguistic contexts in both.
Connotations
Biblical/literary connotations are strong in both (e.g., 'thorn in the flesh'). Slight preference for botanical use over metaphorical in AmE everyday speech.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, slightly higher in UK due to more common use of 'hawthorn' (the tree) in place names and discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “thorn” in a Sentence
a thorn in [someone's] side/fleshVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thorn” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The hawthorn hedge was thorn and impenetrable.
American English
- The path was blocked by a thorn thicket.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically for a persistent minor problem: 'The logistics issue has been a thorn in our side for months.'
Academic
In botany (plant morphology), historical linguistics (letter name), and literature (symbolism of pain/sin).
Everyday
Literally, when gardening or hiking: 'I got a thorn in my finger from that bush.'
Technical
Botanical term for a modified branch; historical palaeography for the letter Þ.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thorn”
- Using 'thorn' for the sting of an insect (use 'sting').
- Confusing 'thorn' (plant part) with 'throne' (seat of a monarch) in pronunciation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'thorn' is not standardly used as a verb in modern English. The action is described as 'prick with a thorn' or 'get stuck by a thorn'.
In botany, a thorn is a modified branch (e.g., hawthorn), a spine is a modified leaf (e.g., cactus), and a prickle is an outgrowth from the epidermis (e.g., rose). In general use, they are often used interchangeably.
It means a persistent source of irritation, annoyance, or trouble.
No, it fell out of use in English around the late Middle Ages, replaced by 'th'. It survives in modern Icelandic.
A stiff, sharp-pointed projection on a plant stem.
Thorn is usually literary, biblical, botanical in register.
Thorn: in British English it is pronounced /θɔːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /θɔːrn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a thorn in someone's side/flesh”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'thorn' on a 'hawTHORN' tree – it's sharp enough to make you say 'TH!' (the sound it represents).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROBLEMS/ANNOYANCES ARE SHARP PHYSICAL OBJECTS (e.g., 'a thorn in my side').
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'thorn' used to name a specific character?