✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!
: 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.
One of them gives me a thumbs-up. James Vincent, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025 Which is not a thumbs-up for what’s happened by any means. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025 The influencer also gave a thumbs-up to Laopu Gold’s positioning, focusing on the concept of being a luxury gold objects-maker instead of just an accessories brand. Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 2025 Bish did, enjoying all seven hours, getting thumbs-up from other motorists on the highway. Laura Lane, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thumbs-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thumbs-up. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on thumbs-up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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