thanksgiver

[ thangks-giv-er ]

noun

1. a person who gives thanks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thanksgiver¹

1615–25; thank + -s ³ + giver ( def )

More About Thanksgiver

What does thanksgiver mean?

A thanksgiver is someone who engages in thanksgiving—the act of expressing or feeling thankfulness.

In other words, a thanksgiver is someone who gives thanks (expresses gratitude) for what they’re grateful for.

The word thanksgiving is often used in a religious context. For example, a prayer of thanksgiving involves praying to express gratitude for the blessings in one’s life. Thanksgiver can also be used in this context.

Still, thanksgiver is very rarely used. It’s much more common to say that someone is giving thanks or to describe them as thankful or grateful.

Example: We should all be thanksgivers for the blessings that we have.

Where does thanksgiver come from?

The first records of the word thanksgiver come from around 1620. The word thanksgiving is first recorded earlier, around 1530.

The general sense of the word thanksgiving is far more commonly used than thanksgiver. The verb phrase give thanks, on which both words are based, is probably even more common and is much older, being first recorded before 1000.

Thanksgiver can be used in an informal and somewhat humorous way to refer to someone who is celebrating Thanksgiving, a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. But this use is also rare.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for thanksgiver?

• giver of thanks

What are some words that share a root or word element with thanksgiver? 

• thanks
• giver
• thanksgiving
• almsgiver

What are some words that often get used in discussing thanksgiver?

• thankful
• grateful
• thankfulness
• gratitude
• gratefulness
• blessing

 

How is thanksgiver used in real life?

Thanksgiver is very rarely used. When it is used, it often appears in a religious context.

Happy Turkey Day to all you Thanksgivers out there!🦃

— Greg Ilkka (@gilkka) November 28, 2019

There are two types of people in this world: Thanksgivers and thankstakers.

— cryptid mode ellie (@beaniequeen_e) November 28, 2019

We're #Thanksgivers and we'd like to thank you for helping us celebrate 20 years of empowering millions of you to be self-banked. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. 👏❤️ #Netspend20#TurnUpTheThanks pic.twitter.com/FSCmAn9DmI

— Netspend (@Netspend) November 6, 2019

 

Try using thanksgiver!

Is thanksgiver used correctly in the following sentence?

With all of the good fortune that I’ve had, I feel I should be more of a thanksgiver.