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Seasons and holidays

Thanksgiving vocabulary word list

This list is for classrooms and ESL learners building vocabulary around the Thanksgiving holiday. It covers common foods, the history of the holiday, and words used to talk about gratitude and family gatherings.

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Thanksgiving vocabulary word list

30 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
harvestnounThe gathering of ripe crops, or the amount of crops gathered in a season.Farmers worked long hours to bring in the wheat harvest before the rain.
gratitudenounA feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for something received or done.She wrote a letter expressing her gratitude to the nurses who cared for her father.
feastnounA large, elaborate meal, often prepared to celebrate a special occasion.The family gathered for a holiday feast with turkey, stuffing, and pie.
turkeynounA large North American bird, farmed widely for its meat and traditionally served at Thanksgiving.We roasted a turkey for six hours before the family sat down to dinner.
stuffingnounA mixture of ingredients used to fill the cavity of a food item, or soft material used to fill cushions and toys.Grandma's stuffing recipe always includes sage, onions, and plenty of butter.
cranberrynounA small, tart, dark red berry that grows on a low shrub and is often made into sauce or juice.We served cranberry sauce alongside the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner.
pilgrimnounA person who travels to a sacred or meaningful place, especially for religious reasons.Thousands of pilgrims walk the ancient trail to the shrine every spring.
colonynounA country or territory under the political control of another, more powerful country, often with settlers from that country.India was a British colony until it gained independence in 1947.
gatherverbTo bring together in one place, or to come together as a group.Volunteers gathered canned food to donate to the local shelter before winter.
traditionnounA long-established custom or belief passed down within a family, group, or culture.Baking bread together every Sunday has become a tradition in our family.
autumnnounThe season between summer and winter, marked by cooler weather and falling leaves.The leaves turn brilliant shades of orange and red every autumn.
cornucopianounAn abundant supply of good things, or a horn-shaped container overflowing with fruit and produce.The farmer's market offered a cornucopia of fresh vegetables every Saturday morning.
pumpkinnounA large, round vegetable with thick orange skin and flesh, grown on a vine and often used in pies.Every October, the family carves a pumpkin into a grinning jack-o'-lantern for Halloween.
paradenounA public procession of people, vehicles, or floats, often celebrating or commemorating an event.Thousands lined the streets to watch the holiday parade pass through downtown.
thankfuladjectiveFeeling or expressing gratitude for something good that has happened or been received.She was thankful for the neighbors who helped rebuild the fence after the storm.
relativesnounMembers of a person's family, connected by blood or marriage.We spent the holiday visiting relatives who live on the coast.
hospitalitynounThe friendly and generous welcome given to guests, visitors, or strangers, including food, drink, and lodging.The small village was known throughout the region for its warm hospitality.
generousadjectiveWilling to give more money, time, or help than is strictly necessary or expected.The generous donor paid for new equipment for the entire school library.
abundancenounA very large quantity of something; more than enough.The garden produced an abundance of tomatoes by the end of summer.
plentifuladjectiveExisting or available in large quantities, more than enough for what is needed.Fresh fruit was plentiful at the market after the summer harvest.
banquetnounA large, formal meal held to celebrate an occasion or honor someone.The company held a banquet to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.
givingadjectiveGenerous and willing to share time, money, or resources with others.Her giving nature made her the first person people turned to for help.
blessingnounSomething that brings happiness, help, or good fortune, or a prayer asking for divine favor.Having supportive neighbors was a real blessing during the difficult winter.
gravynounA sauce made from the juices of cooked meat, often thickened and seasoned, served over food.He poured warm gravy over the mashed potatoes and turkey.
casserolenounA dish of food cooked slowly in a deep pan, or the pan itself.She baked a chicken casserole with vegetables for the family dinner.
drumsticknounA stick used to strike a drum, or the lower part of a chicken or turkey leg served as food.The drummer twirled a drumstick between songs to entertain the crowd.
leftoversnounFood that remains uneaten after a meal and is saved for later.We had the leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner for lunch three days in a row.
potlucknounA shared meal to which each guest brings a different dish to contribute.The neighbors organized a potluck so everyone could bring their favorite homemade dish.
centerpiecenounThe most important or attractive item, especially one placed at the center of a table or plan.A tall floral arrangement served as the centerpiece for the wedding table.
hostnounA person who receives and entertains guests, or an organization that provides a venue or platform for an event.The host greeted every guest warmly at the door before dinner began.

Words for talking about gratitude

Thanksgiving vocabulary often centers on the idea of giving thanks. Gratitude and thankful describe the feeling of appreciating what you have, while blessing refers to something good that happens or is given to you. Hospitality describes the welcoming way a host treats guests, an idea closely tied to sharing a Thanksgiving meal with family and friends.

Frequently asked questions

What are some good ESL vocabulary words for Thanksgiving?

Words like harvest, feast, gratitude, tradition, and gather introduce both the history of the holiday and its focus on food and family.