: an instance or gesture of approval or encouragement

Examples of thumbs-up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Many investors have responded positively to the changes, as evidenced by Citi’s stock popping almost 15% year-to-date — and a thumbs-up from the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024 Acknowledging a kinship of sorts, motorcyclists gave frequent thumbs-up to the Morgan, claiming the three-wheeler as one of their own. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 29 Mar. 2024 Kruger then concluded her post with a snap of Reedus displaying a thumbs-up while holding onto a stroller, which appeared to have their daughter sitting inside with a coat covering her face. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024 Where my head of white hair as seen on TV when right-handed batters were up, got me thumbs-ups in the produce section at the grocery store. Ellen Murphy, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024 Coleman shared a photo on social media Friday of him giving a thumbs-up from his hospital bed. Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Mar. 2024 Just a simple thumbs-up and silence to mark another day’s work. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 As Winslet recorded, Stephen Frears, one of the show’s two directors, guided Winslet with considerable understatement from his seat across the room: a half-nod here, a thumbs-up there. Susan Dominus, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2024 The boy had terrible burns on his face, Elder said, but despite the pain would lift his arm to give a thumbs-up. Niha Masih, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thumbs-up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near thumbs-up

Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbs-up. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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