thumbs-up

noun

ˈthəmz-ˈəp How to pronounce thumbs-up (audio)
Synonyms of thumbs-upnext
: an instance or gesture of approval or encouragement

Examples of thumbs-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The stoppage allowed Washington to refocus on other projects, with this film moving to the top of the list following meetings with McQuarrie that ultimately led to Washington giving the thumbs-up. — Justin Kroll, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2026 Kip’s leaning into the frame, giving a thumbs-up, one of the KitKats in his mouth like a cigarillo. — George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Kessler, standing nearby during Williams’ postgame news conference, poked his head out from behind a black curtain and gave his teammate a thumbs-up. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 The new YouTube Music label will appear below the track’s name and artist, next to the thumbs-up and thumbs-down icons. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thumbs-up

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thumbs-up was in 1892

Rhymes for thumbs-up

See All Rhymes for thumbs-up

Browse Nearby Words

thumbstall
thumbs-up
thumbtack
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbs-up. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on thumbs-up

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for thumbs-up

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All