201 Thanksgiving Words and Phrases to Show Gratitude This Year (With Definitions, Audio and Examples)
In the United States, there’s a whole holiday about showing gratitude (the state of being thankful): Thanksgiving. Like many holidays in the United States, the exact date of Thanksgiving changes every year. However, it’s always on the fourth Thursday of November.
In this article, we’re going to talk about Thanksgiving vocabulary. You’ll learn 201 words and phrases specifically associated with the holiday, so you can impress your friends when Thanksgiving dinner comes around. You’re also going to learn a little bit about Thanksgiving—what it means, its history and how people celebrate it now.
Contents
- General Thanksgiving Words
- Thanksgiving Food Words
- Thanksgiving History Words
- Thanksgiving Events Vocabulary
- Objects Related to Thanksgiving
- Games to Play On Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving Quotes
- Jokes About Thanksgiving
- Adjectives You Can Use on Thanksgiving
- Companies Associated With Thanksgiving
- Common Expressions Used on Thanksgiving
- Idioms About Thanksgiving
- Let’s Practice These Thanksgiving Words and Phrases
- And One More Thing...
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General Thanksgiving Words
Most people in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving.
Those who came from other countries (also called expats or expatriates ) often celebrate with friends or other Americans by having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
As a holiday, Thanksgiving is generally considered to be a secular one. That means it’s not associated with any specific religion or denomination.
Many people say prayers at Thanksgiving dinner, of course. However, anyone of any religion can participate in Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Food Words
Many families eat different things for Thanksgiving depending on their culture, but there are some foods and related words closely connected to the holiday. Let’s learn more about them!
Thanksgiving History Words
The Internet is full of information and videos about the history of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving began in 1621. In that year, a group of people from England who traveled to America were having a hard time getting accustomed to (used to) their new country.
There was a group of Native Americans who helped the English people plant food and survive the difficult winter. As a result, the English decided to have a large dinner to give thanks to their Native American friends, and to celebrate that they were still alive.
The main reason that people still celebrate the holiday today is because it’s a nice time to get together with your friends or family to have fun and eat a delicious meal. Plus, it’s a great excuse for a party!
Thanksgiving Events Vocabulary
Every Thanksgiving, people in the United States follow certain traditions. Here are a few examples.
| Thanksgiving Words Related to Events | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving dinner | a special meal that families have on Thanksgiving Day, typically featuring roasted turkey and various side dishes | Every year, my family gathers for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. |
| Black Friday | the day after Thanksgiving when many stores offer significant discounts and sales, marking the beginning of the holiday shopping season | Shops are crowded with people looking for great deals during Black Friday. |
| Cyber Monday | a day known for online shopping deals and discounts, similar to the Black Friday sales that occur in physical retail stores | I make sure my budget is enough for Cyber Monday. |
| family gatherings | people coming together, often relatives, to celebrate and enjoy each other's company during special occasions like Thanksgiving | Family gatherings are an important part of Thanksgiving, where we share love and gratitude. |
| parade | a public event where people march or walk in a procession, often involving floats, music and entertainment | We watched a colorful parade on Thanksgiving morning with big balloons and marching bands. |
| football | a popular sport in which two teams compete to carry or throw a ball into the opposing team's end zone to score points | Football games are often played on Thanksgiving, and we cheer for our favorite teams. |
| turkey trot races | running races held on or around Thanksgiving, often with participants wearing costumes or turkey-themed attire | I joined a turkey trot race on Thanksgiving morning and had fun running with others. |
| Friendsgiving | a popular tradition where friends gather to celebrate Thanksgiving together | Are you coming to John's Friendsgiving party tomorrow? |
Objects Related to Thanksgiving
Below are the things you’ll often see on Thanksgiving. Make sure to remember what they are so you’ll know what to call them on Thanksgiving dinner!
| Thanksgiving Objects | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| breadbasket | a container used to serve and store bread | I was busy preparing the breadbasket when my friends came. |
| centerpiece | a decorative item placed in the middle of a table to enhance its appearance | The beautiful centerpiece added a festive touch to our Thanksgiving table. |
| garland | a decorative string of flowers, leaves or other materials | We hung a colorful garland on the fireplace for Thanksgiving. |
| headdress | an ornamental piece of clothing worn on the head | She wore a traditional headdress as part of her Thanksgiving costume. |
| bonnet | a type of head covering, often with ties under the chin | The baby looked adorable in her tiny bonnet on Thanksgiving. |
| trivet | a small stand used to protect surfaces from hot cookware | We placed the hot casserole dish on the trivet during our Thanksgiving meal. |
| table runner | a long decorative cloth placed on a table | The colorful table runner added a touch of elegance to our Thanksgiving dinner table. |
Games to Play On Thanksgiving
Of course, Thanksgiving won’t be complete without fun and games.
| Thanksgiving Games | What This Game Is |
|---|---|
| charades | a classic party game where players act out words or phrases without speaking, and others try to guess what they're acting out |
| board games | games played on a game board, such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Settlers of Catan |
| trivia | a game that involves asking questions related to the holiday, its history, traditions or general knowledge |
| Pictionary | a drawing and guessing game where players draw a word or phrase without using letters or numbers while their team tries to guess what it is |
| bingo | a game where players mark off Thanksgiving-related words or images on their bingo cards as they're called out |
| card games | games like Poker, Rummy or Uno that can be enjoyed on Thanksgiving as a casual and social activity |
| scavenger hunt | a game or activity in which participants are given a list of items, clues or tasks to find or complete, and they must search for these items or complete the tasks within a specified time frame |
| cornhole | a popular lawn game that involves throwing bean bags into holes on a wooden board |
| tabletop role-playing games | a game where participants create characters and embark on epic quests guided by a game master |
Thanksgiving Quotes
Want to send your loved ones in the U.S. some special messages on Thanksgiving Day? Here are some ideas for you.
| Quotes on Thanksgiving | Who Said It | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." | Aesop | Being thankful for what we have makes us feel content with what we already possess. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time to think about and appreciate all the good things in your life. |
| "Gratitude is the best attitude." | Unknown | Having a thankful and positive outlook is a great way to approach life. |
| "Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." | Melody Beattie | Being thankful helps us understand our past, find peace in the present and plan for the future. |
| "In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact." | Les Brown | Each day provides many chances to do something good and be thankful for those opportunities. |
| "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." | William Arthur Ward | It's important to show and share your thankfulness, just like giving a gift to someone. |
| "The more you are thankful, the more you attract things to be thankful for." | Unknown | When you appreciate what you have, more good things will come your way. |
| "Gratitude is the memory of the heart." | Jean Baptiste Massieu | Gratitude is a feeling stored in your heart, remembering the good things in life. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to give, a time to love and a time to reflect on the things that matter most in life." | Danielle Duckery | Thanksgiving is a time to be generous, show love and think about what's truly important. |
| "Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings." | William Arthur Ward | Being thankful can make regular days special, turn work into happiness and make ordinary moments feel like gifts. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to come together and share our love and gratitude." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time for people to gather and express their love and thankfulness. |
| "Gratitude is the key to a happy heart." | Unknown | Being thankful is the way to have a joyful and content heart. |
| "Gratitude is the simplest way to bring joy into your life." | Unknown | Being thankful is the easiest way to make your life happier. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to share and care." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time to give and look out for others. |
| "Gratitude makes every meal a feast." | Unknown | When you are thankful, even a simple meal can feel like a grand feast. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to savor the moments and create lasting memories." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy the present and make memories that will stay with you. |
| "Gratitude is the wine for the soul. Go on, get drunk." | Rumi | Thankfulness is like a delicious drink for your soul; enjoy it to the fullest. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate the harvest of good things in our lives." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for the natural world and all the things it provides us. |
| "Gratitude is the music of the heart when its chords are swept by the breeze of kindness." | Unknown | Thankfulness is like the sweet music your heart plays when you're treated with kindness. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy the warmth of togetherness." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time to feel close and connected to the people you're with. |
| "Gratitude is the best seasoning for every meal." | Unknown | Being thankful adds extra flavor and enjoyment to any meal. |
| "Gratitude is the best pillow." | Unknown | Being thankful helps you have a peaceful and comfortable sleep. |
| "Gratitude is the fairest blossom that springs from the soul." | Henry Ward Beecher | Being thankful is the most beautiful thing that comes from deep within us. |
| "Thanksgiving is a time to fill your heart with love and your plate with food." | Unknown | Thanksgiving is a time to be full of love and enjoy a delicious meal. |
Jokes About Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving is an important occasion, it doesn’t mean you can’t make a joke about it. If your American friends have a sense of humor (and I’m sure most of them do), they might appreciate you telling them some jokes. Ask the question first, and if no one is answering or if they’re giving the wrong answer, give them the answers below.
| Question | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Why did the turkey sit next to the computer? | Because it wanted to keep an eye on the mouse! | The turkey sat near the computer because it thought the computer mouse might be a real mouse. Turkeys can get scared of mice. |
| What do you get when you cross a turkey with a banjo? | A turkey that can pluck itself! | If you mix a turkey (the bird we eat on Thanksgiving) with a banjo (a musical instrument with strings), you might get a funny image of a turkey that can pull or "pluck" its own feathers, which is just a playful idea. |
| Why was the math book sad on Thanksgiving? | Because it had too many problems. | The math book was like a person, and it felt sad on Thanksgiving because it had too many math questions and didn't want to work on a holiday. |
| What do you call a turkey on the day after Thanksgiving? | Lucky! | The turkey is lucky because it's the day after Thanksgiving, and it wasn't cooked and eaten, which is what usually happens to turkeys on that day. |
| What's a turkey's favorite dessert? | Peach gobbler! | The joke is a wordplay on "peach cobbler," a type of dessert. It imagines that turkeys might like a dessert made from peaches, so they call it "peach gobbler" instead. ( "Gobble" is the sound turkeys make, and can also mean "to eat.") |
| What did the cranberries say to the turkey on Thanksgiving? | Stop staring at me, you're making me cranberry sauce! | The cranberries were joking with the turkey and telling it not to look at them because they were afraid the turkey might turn them into cranberry sauce, which is often served with turkey. |
| Why did the scarecrow become a successful stand-up comedian? | Because he was outstanding in his field! | Scarecrows are usually placed in fields to scare away birds. This joke plays with the word "outstanding," saying the scarecrow was very good in his field, but it also sounds like he's "out standing" in the field. |
| What do you call a can opener that doesn't work? | A can't opener. | This joke is a play on words. Instead of "can opener" (a tool to open cans), it says "can't opener," which means it can't open cans, emphasizing that it's broken or not working. |
| What's the key to a great Thanksgiving dinner? | The tur-key! | This joke plays with the word "key." It's a pun, saying that the essential thing for a great Thanksgiving dinner is not an actual key but a turkey (the main dish). |
| What did one plate say to the other plate on Thanksgiving? | Don't worry, I've got you covered! | This joke is about the plates used for serving food. One plate reassures the other plate that it will protect it or "cover" it, meaning it will help serve the food together. |
Adjectives You Can Use on Thanksgiving
Looking for the right word or words to describe how you feel about Thanksgiving? Get a load of the adjectives below.
Companies Associated With Thanksgiving
When talking about Thanksgiving, your American friends will likely be throwing around company names related to the holiday. If you’re not sure what they mean—well, here’s a list to help you decode those random-sounding names.
| Companies Associated With Thanksgiving | What This Company Is Known For |
|---|---|
| Butterball | turkeys |
| Ocean Spray | cranberry products |
| Campbell's | canned soups |
| Stove Top | stuffing mixes |
| Pearl Milling Company | pancake and syrup products |
| Macy's | department store; Thanksgiving parade |
| McCormick | herbs and spices |
| Pillsbury | refrigerated dough products |
| King's Hawaiian | sweet rolls and bread products |
| Starbucks | Coffee and lattes (like the Pumpkin Spice Latte and Thanksgiving Blend) |
Common Expressions Used on Thanksgiving
Here are some expressions you’ll often hear during Thanksgiving dinner.
| Common Thanksgiving Expressions | Meaning |
|---|---|
| "Happy Thanksgiving!" | wishing a joyful Thanksgiving |
| "I'm thankful for ..." | expressing gratitude or thankfulness |
| "Can you pass the gravy?" | asking for gravy to be passed or given to you |
| "I love the stuffing!" | showing appreciation for the stuffing |
| "This pumpkin pie is delicious." | complimenting or saying something good about the pie |
| "Let's give thanks." | asking other people to give thanks or show gratitude |
| "It's time for the Thanksgiving parade." | referring to the traditional parade |
| "I'm so grateful for family and friends." | expressing thankfulness for loved ones |
| "What are you thankful for this year?" | encouraging others to share their gratitude |
| "Let's dig in!" | inviting everyone to start eating |
| "More mashed potatoes, please." | requesting additional mashed potatoes |
| "Cheers to Thanksgiving!" | offering a toast for the holiday |
| "I can't believe how much food there is." | expressing amazement at the abundance of food |
| "Let's watch the football game." | a suggestion to watch the traditional football game |
Idioms About Thanksgiving
Yes, Thanksgiving has its own set of idioms, too.
Let’s Practice These Thanksgiving Words and Phrases
Now that you have 201 new words related to Thanksgiving, let’s practice with them. Check out this article on Wikipedia’s Simple English entry for Thanksgiving, and see how many of the words above you can find and understand. You’ll probably be surprised that most of them are in that text, and that you can understand them!
If you want to see more examples of Thanksgiving words in action, try the language learning platform FluentU.
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I’m thankful that you took the time to read this article. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving, even if it’s just a small Thanksgiving in your mind.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
And One More Thing...
If you like learning English through movies and online media, you should also check out FluentU. FluentU lets you learn English from popular talk shows, catchy music videos and funny commercials, as you can see here:
If you want to watch it, the FluentU app has probably got it.
The FluentU app and website makes it really easy to watch English videos. There are captions that are interactive. That means you can tap on any word to see an image, definition, and useful examples.
FluentU lets you learn engaging content with world famous celebrities.
For example, when you tap on the word "searching," you see this:
FluentU lets you tap to look up any word.
Learn all the vocabulary in any video with quizzes. Swipe left or right to see more examples for the word you’re learning.
FluentU helps you learn fast with useful questions and multiple examples. Learn more.
The best part? FluentU remembers the vocabulary that you’re learning. It gives you extra practice with difficult words—and reminds you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. You have a truly personalized experience.
Start using the FluentU website on your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes or Google Play store. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
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