WordGarden.iothorn
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /θˈɔːn/
US
- /ˈθɔrn/
Meanings
Noun
a hard sharp point on the stem or branch of a plant
a source of irritation, distress, or ongoing trouble
Beyond the definition
A thorn is a sharp point on a plant. In everyday English, people often think of roses. It can also mean something that causes pain, trouble, or ongoing annoyance, as in "a thorn in your side."
These sharp points help protect plants from animals. In a figurative sense, a thorn is something that keeps bothering you. You might say a difficult coworker is "a thorn in your side," meaning they keep causing problems. The word has been used for centuries for both the plant meaning and the idea of trouble.
Imagine walking through a beautiful garden, admiring the flowers while carefully avoiding the sharp points along the stems. In everyday speech, people often call these thorns, especially on roses. In strict botanical use, however, a thorn is a hard, pointed part that grows from a stem or branch and helps protect the plant from animals. Many plants use structures like this as a natural defense.
But the word "thorn" is not limited to plants. It is also used metaphorically for anything that causes lasting pain, annoyance, or difficulty. A recurring problem might be called "a thorn in your side," which suggests a constant, nagging irritation. In the same way, a painful memory or deep regret can feel like a thorn that never fully goes away.
The word has deep roots in language and literature. In the New Testament, a crown of thorns was placed on Jesus' head, making the image a lasting symbol of suffering and sacrifice. Writers have also used thorns to represent hardship, danger, or the pain hidden inside something beautiful.
Whether you are thinking about a prickly plant or a problem that will not leave you alone, this word brings together ideas of sharpness, protection, and struggle. It reminds us that beauty can come with pain, and that some troubles stay close until we finally deal with them.
Examples
- 1
Garden safety
Be careful with that rose bush; the thorns can scratch your hands.
- 2
Clothing accident
A thorn caught in her sock while she was walking through the field.
- 3
Business problem
Rising rents have become a thorn in the side of many small businesses.
- Phrasea thorn in the side of someone
a continuing source of trouble for that person or group
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- thornnounverb
Forms
- thornspluralnounverb
- thorning-ing formverbnoun
- thornedpast tenseverbnoun