rule of thumb

R r

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [rool uhv, ov thuhm]
- /rul ʌv, ɒv θʌm/
- /ruːl əv θʌm/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [rool uhv, ov thuhm]
- /rul ʌv, ɒv θʌm/

Definitions of rule of thumb words

noun rule of thumb a general or approximate principle, procedure, or rule based on experience or practice, as opposed to a specific, scientific calculation or estimate. 1
noun rule of thumb a rough, practical method of procedure. 1
noun rule of thumb general indication, rough guide 1
phrase rule of thumb A rule of thumb is a rule or principle that you follow which is not based on exact calculations, but rather on experience. 0
noun rule of thumb a rough and practical approach, based on experience, rather than a scientific or precise one based on theory 0
noun rule of thumb (as modifier) 0

See all 9 definitions of rule of thumb

Information block about the term

Origin of rule of thumb

First appearance:

before 1685

One of the 48% oldest English words

First recorded in 1685-95

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Rule of thumb

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Rule of thumb

rule of thumb popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 31% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

rule of thumb usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for rule of thumb

noun rule of thumb

m.o. — modus operandi.
mo — moment (def 1).
modus operandi — mode of operating or working.
mos — Metal Oxide Semiconductor
workings — Plural form of working.

All 5 Synonyms of rule of thumb