How to pronounce Thanksgiving
Say it like thangks-GHIV-ing. Thanksgiving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GHIV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce Thanksgiving. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- thangks
- GHIV
- ing
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Thanksgiving pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- thangksGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- GHIVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of Thanksgiving
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1.
British respelling: THANGKS-ghiv-ing.
What does Thanksgiving mean?
- fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
- a short prayer of thanks before a meal“their youngest son said grace”
Where does Thanksgiving come from?
From thanks + giving.
Words that rhyme with Thanksgiving
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of Thanksgiving.
Questions about saying Thanksgiving
How do you pronounce Thanksgiving?
Say thangks-GHIV-ing. The American pronunciation is /ˌθæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/. In British English it is /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GHIV). Broken into parts: thangks · GHIV · ing.
Is Thanksgiving pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 2, while British speakers stress syllable 1. The British form is /ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ/ (THANGKS-ghiv-ing).