thumbtack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
IntermediateNeutral, slightly informal; common in everyday and office contexts.
Quick answer
What does “thumbtack” mean?
A short, sharp pin with a broad, flat head that can be pressed into a board or wall with the thumb, used for fastening papers or notices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short, sharp pin with a broad, flat head that can be pressed into a board or wall with the thumb, used for fastening papers or notices.
A fastening device primarily used on soft surfaces like corkboards or soft wallboards; also refers to a drawing pin. Metaphorically, it can signify something that pins down or fixes something in place.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term 'thumbtack' is used in American English. British English uses 'drawing pin'. The object is functionally identical.
Connotations
Both terms are neutral, describing a common office/school supply.
Frequency
'Thumbtack' is extremely frequent in AmE; 'drawing pin' is the standard and frequent term in BrE.
Grammar
How to Use “thumbtack” in a Sentence
to thumbtack something to the wallto thumbtack a poster upVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thumbtack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She drawing-pinned the flyer to the noticeboard.
- He's drawing-pinning the map to the wall.
American English
- She thumbtacked the flyer to the bulletin board.
- He's thumbtacking the map to the wall.
adjective
British English
- The drawing-pin holes were visible in the wallpaper.
- A drawing-pin dispenser.
American English
- The thumbtack holes were visible in the drywall.
- A thumbtack dispenser.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for posting notices on office bulletin boards.
Academic
Used in classrooms and universities for displaying student work or announcements.
Everyday
Common in homes for putting up reminders, photos, or children's artwork.
Technical
Rarely used in technical contexts; specific fasteners have more technical names.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thumbtack”
- Using 'thumbtack' when speaking British English (should be 'drawing pin').
- Confusing 'thumbtack' with 'nail' (which requires a hammer).
- Spelling as 'thumb tack' (acceptable but less common as one word).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in American English, 'to thumbtack' means to attach something with a thumbtack. In British English, the verb phrase would be 'to drawing-pin' or simply 'to pin'.
In American English, 'thumbtack' and 'push pin' are often used interchangeably, though some may consider a push pin to have a plastic, often colored, head. 'Drawing pin' is the British English term for a thumbtack.
Yes, but only on soft surfaces like corkboards, certain wallboards, or very soft wood. Using it on hard plaster, brick, or drywall will likely only leave a small hole and not hold well; a nail or adhesive is better for those surfaces.
Because you use your thumb to press (tack) it into a surface, unlike a nail which requires a hammer. The name is descriptive of its method of use.
A short, sharp pin with a broad, flat head that can be pressed into a board or wall with the thumb, used for fastening papers or notices.
Thumbtack is usually neutral, slightly informal; common in everyday and office contexts. in register.
Thumbtack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθʌm.tæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθʌm.tæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have a mind like a thumbtack (very sharp but small, i.e., clever but narrow)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: You use your THUMB to press the TACK in. THUMB + TACK.
Conceptual Metaphor
Pinning down an idea (to thumbtack an idea = to finalize or fix it temporarily).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'thumbtack' correctly in an American English context?