thanksgiving
B1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The act of giving thanks; an expression of gratitude.
An annual holiday, primarily in the US and Canada, celebrating the harvest and blessings of the past year, traditionally involving a family meal.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a proper noun when referring to the holiday, often capitalised ('Thanksgiving'). The common noun form ('thanksgiving') denotes the act or expression of gratitude, often in a religious or formal context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'thanksgiving' is chiefly a common noun meaning 'the act of giving thanks', often in a religious context. The holiday 'Thanksgiving' is an American concept, though understood in the UK. In the US, 'Thanksgiving' is a major national holiday.
Connotations
US: Strong connotations of family gathering, turkey dinner, parades, and football. UK: More general/religious connotations of gratitude.
Frequency
The term is significantly more frequent in American English due to the holiday.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Thanksgiving for (something)hold a thanksgiving for (something)offer thanksgiving (to someone)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Small mercies (as a phrase of thanksgiving)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in a formal 'vote of thanks' or in company communications around the US holiday.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, or religious studies contexts.
Everyday
Common in the US, especially around November, for discussing holiday plans, food, and travel.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - 'to thanksgiving' is not a standard verb.
American English
- N/A - 'to thanksgiving' is not a standard verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'thanksgivingly' is not a standard adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'thanksgivingly' is not a standard adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A - 'thanksgiving' is not commonly used adjectivally.
American English
- N/A - 'thanksgiving' is not commonly used adjectivally.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We eat turkey on Thanksgiving.
- I say 'thank you' as a thanksgiving.
- Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday because all my family is together.
- The priest led a short service of thanksgiving for the harvest.
- After the successful operation, she offered a silent prayer of thanksgiving.
- The Thanksgiving weekend is notorious for heavy traffic and airport delays.
- The president issued a proclamation declaring a national day of thanksgiving.
- His memoirs were less an autobiography and more an extended thanksgiving for the opportunities he had been given.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: GIVING THANKS.
Conceptual Metaphor
GRATITUDE IS A GIFT (we 'give' thanks).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'спасибо' (thank you) in casual use. 'Thanksgiving' refers to the formal act or the holiday.
- Do not translate the holiday name directly ('День благодарения' is the standard translation for the US holiday).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect pluralisation ('Thanksgivings' is acceptable for multiple instances of the holiday, but not for the concept).
- Missing capitalisation when referring to the holiday ('We celebrate Thanksgiving').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'thanksgiving' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in the UK. It is a North American holiday, though some individuals or churches may hold harvest-related services of thanksgiving.
'Thanks' is a casual, often plural, expression of gratitude. 'Thanksgiving' is a more formal, often singular, noun referring to the act or ceremony of giving thanks, or the specific holiday.
Capitalise it ('Thanksgiving') when referring specifically to the American or Canadian holiday. Use lowercase ('thanksgiving') when referring to the general act of giving thanks.
No, 'thanksgiving' is only a noun. The related verb is 'to thank' or 'to give thanks'.