There are many tools available to people who want to increase vocabulary skills and improve their ability to use words in their spoken and written communication. An important part of vocabulary improvement is learning synonyms, words that have a similar meaning. No two words mean exactly the same thing – that is, each word has a specific nuance or use that makes it more appropriate in one context than another word. For example, the word bright can be used to describe a light, or someone’s intellectual abilities. You can say “what bright sunshine!” or “your child is very bright” and be easily understood. On the other hand, although a synonym for “bright” is shiny, you’d never say “your child is very shiny!” (unless the child has been freshly waxed, of course). You can learn the correct uses for each synonym by looking up each related word in a thesaurus. You’ll be grateful for this resource when you’re searching for just the right word to use.

In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of November is a time when people show their gratitude for all the blessings in their lives. In Canada, a similar holiday occurs in October; both are based on celebrations by some of the original English settlers on the continent in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, both holidays center around the end of the harvest season and on appreciation for abundant food. In Japan, a similar holiday is celebrated towards the end of November and commemorates workers and the products they create, including agricultural products. Wherever you live and whatever you’re grateful for, here are some synonyms that you can use to express your feelings:

synonyms for gratitude (noun): apppreciation, thanks, gratefulness

synonyms for grateful (adjective): appreciative, thankful