Word.ws English Dictionary

sticking out like a sore thumb

sticking out like a sore thumb is the present participle and gerund of stick out like a sore thumb.

Meaning of stick out like a sore thumb

Verb

stick out like a sore thumb (third-person singular simple present sticks out like a sore thumb, present participle sticking out like a sore thumb, simple past and past participle stuck out like a sore thumb)

  1. (simile) To be very noticeably (and undesirably or humorously) different; to be prominently out of place; to be particularly obtrusive or conspicuous (usually unintentionally); to attract unwanted attention or notice.
    • Don't wear a business suit to that party; you'll stick out like a sore thumb.
    Antonyms:
    belong, blend in, fit, fit in

Questions about sticking out like a sore thumb

What is sticking out like a sore thumb the present participle and gerund of?
Sticking out like a sore thumb is the present participle and gerund of stick out like a sore thumb.

Words near sticking out like a sore thumb in the dictionary

  1. sticking one's nose into
  2. sticking one's oar in
  3. sticking one's tongue out
  4. sticking out
  5. sticking out a mile
  6. sticking out like a sore thumb
  7. sticking out like dog's balls
  8. sticking place
  9. sticking places
  10. sticking plaster
  11. sticking plasters

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: sticking out like a sore thumb (page history and authors); stick out like a sore thumb (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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