Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
rule-of-thumb
noun
ˈro͞ol əv θʌm
Definition
A general principle or guideline based on practical experience rather than a strict rule or a precise calculation.
Examples
- As a rule-of-thumb, you should aim to save about 20% of your income each month.
- When cooking, a good rule-of-thumb is to taste the food as you go to adjust the seasoning.
- In project management, a rule-of-thumb is to allocate about 10% of your budget for unexpected costs.
Meaning
It refers to a method or approach that gives a rough estimate or guideline that is usually effective in most situations.
Synonyms
- guideline
- principle
- general rule
- approximation
