thanksgiver: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “thanksgiver” mean?
A person who gives thanks.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who gives thanks; one who expresses gratitude.
A person who is in the habit of or known for expressing gratitude, or someone who participates in the ritual of giving thanks, particularly in a religious or ceremonial context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning, but the association with 'Thanksgiving' (the holiday) makes the term slightly more recognizable in American English.
Connotations
In American English, it can subtly evoke the cultural context of the Thanksgiving holiday. In British English, it leans more towards the abstract or religious sense of one who gives thanks.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, but slightly higher visibility in AmE due to the holiday name.
Grammar
How to Use “thanksgiver” in a Sentence
thanksgiver (to somebody) for somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. 'We need to be thanksgivers to our clients' would sound unnatural.
Academic
Rarely used outside of theological or historical studies discussing concepts of gratitude.
Everyday
Very rarely used in conversation. 'Grateful person' or 'someone who's thankful' is preferred.
Technical
Not a technical term in any mainstream field.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thanksgiver”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thanksgiver”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thanksgiver”
- Using it as a synonym for 'Thanksgiving' (the holiday).
- Using it as a common noun in casual conversation.
- Misspelling as 'thanks*giver*' (correct: one word).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Thanksgiving' (capitalized) is the holiday. A 'thanksgiver' (lowercase) is a person who gives thanks.
It's very formal and rare. In most contexts, 'grateful person' or 'someone who is thankful' is more natural.
It is exclusively a noun.
It can, especially in historical or ceremonial contexts, but it can also be used secularly to describe a habitually grateful individual.
A person who gives thanks.
Thanksgiver is usually formal, literary in register.
Thanksgiver: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A perpetual thanksgiver”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Thanks' + 'giver' = a GIVER of THANKS. It's a person who hands out gratitude.
Conceptual Metaphor
GRATITUDE IS AN OFFERING (GIFT).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most precise meaning of 'thanksgiver'?