thumb

• Dedo corto y grueso de la mano humana, situado separado de los otros cuatro dedos y oponible a ellos. También puede referirse a la parte correspondiente de un guante, o a una marca o proyección similar en un objeto.

A noun referring to the short, thick first digit of the human hand, set apart from the other four fingers and opposable to them.

1. Body partA1formal

   The short, thick first digit of the human hand, set opposite to the other four fingers.

   Pulgar

   • He accidentally hit his thumb with a hammer.
   • She gave a thumbs-up sign to show her approval.
   • The baby sucked his thumb for comfort.

   Sinónimospollex

2. Measurement unitB1informal

   An informal unit of length equal to the width of a thumb, approximately one inch.

   Pulgada (unidad de medida informal)

   • The gap was about a thumb wide.
   • He measured the board using his thumb as a guide.
   • The recipe called for a thumb-sized piece of ginger.

• Verbo que significa presionar, tocar o manipular algo con el pulgar, o hacer señas con el pulgar levantado, como al hacer autostop. También puede referirse a pasar rápidamente las páginas de un libro o los contenidos de una pantalla.

A verb meaning to press, touch, or manipulate something with the thumb, or to signal by sticking out the thumb.

1. Press with thumbB1informal

   To press, touch, or manipulate something using the thumb.

   presionar con el pulgar

   • He thumbed the button to start the machine.
   • She thumbed through the pages of the magazine.
   • He thumbed the remote control to change the channel.

   Sinónimosmanipulatepresspushtouch

2. HitchhikeB2informal

   To travel by getting free rides from passing vehicles, typically by signaling with the thumb.

   Hacer autostop

   • They thumbed a ride to the coast.
   • He thumbed his way across the country.
   • She thumbed a lift from a friendly truck driver.

   Sinónimoshitchhitchhike

3. Signal disapprovalB2informal

   To express disapproval or rejection by pointing the thumb downward.

   Expresar desaprobación señalando con el pulgar hacia abajo

   • The audience thumbed down the performance.
   • The committee thumbed the proposal.
   • Critics thumbed the movie as a failure.

   Sinónimosturn thumbs down

   Antónimosapproveendorse