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thumbhole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C1
UK/ˈθʌm.həʊl/US/ˈθʌm.hoʊl/

Technical/Descriptive

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Quick answer

What does “thumbhole” mean?

A hole designed or naturally occurring to accommodate a thumb.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A hole designed or naturally occurring to accommodate a thumb.

1. In clothing, a hole in a sleeve or mitten for the thumb to pass through. 2. In pottery or ceramics, a small hole in the side of a piece, often a bowl or cup, for the thumb to grip. 3. In archery, a grip style or feature on the bow riser that accommodates the thumb.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally technical in both variants.

Connotations

Neutral and functional in both regions.

Frequency

Equally low-frequency, specialist term in both.

Grammar

How to Use “thumbhole” in a Sentence

[Article/Possessive] + thumbhole + [Prepositional Phrase: in/on the X]The + [Object] + has/features + a thumbhole

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
thumbhole gripthumbhole designthumbhole sweaterthumbhole riser
medium
with a thumbholefeatures a thumbholecut a thumbhole
weak
small thumbholeconvenient thumbholeleft thumbhole

Examples

Examples of “thumbhole” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • [No standard verb use]

American English

  • [No standard verb use]

adverb

British English

  • [No standard adverb use]

American English

  • [No standard adverb use]

adjective

British English

  • She bought a thumbhole running top for her morning jogs.

American English

  • He prefers a thumbhole design on his archery bow for stability.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used in product descriptions for sports apparel, outdoor gear, or ceramics.

Academic

May appear in texts on design, ergonomics, archaeology, or textile history.

Everyday

Used when describing specific clothing (e.g., thumbhole hoodie) or pottery.

Technical

Standard term in archery (thumbhole grip), pottery, and clothing design.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “thumbhole”

Strong

thumb slot

Neutral

thumb opening

Weak

hole for the thumbthumb port

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “thumbhole”

mittensealed cuffsolid grip

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “thumbhole”

  • Spelling as two words: 'thumb hole'. While sometimes seen, the single-word compound is standard.
  • Confusing with 'knucklehole' or 'fingerhole'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is standardly written as one compound word: thumbhole.

No, 'thumbhole' is exclusively a noun. There is no standard verb form.

Referring to the slit at the end of a sleeve on a sweater or hoodie that your thumb goes through.

Primarily yes, by definition. However, in some pottery or tool contexts, other fingers might also be used with it, but the design is centred for the thumb.

A hole designed or naturally occurring to accommodate a thumb.

Thumbhole is usually technical/descriptive in register.

Thumbhole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθʌm.həʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθʌm.hoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[No common idioms]”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of putting your THUMB through a HOLE in your sleeve to keep your hand warm.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE BODY SHAPES THE OBJECT (The form of the thumb determines the shape and function of the hole).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
For better control in cold weather, many running gloves are designed with a to keep the sleeve extended over the wrist.
Multiple Choice

In which context is 'thumbhole' LEAST likely to be used?

thumbhole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore