TH words are essential for English learners and linguistic enthusiasts alike.
They sharpen pronunciation, enrich vocabulary, and provide clarity in expression. Here’s your ultimate collection of TH words, organized into easy-to-digest categories and punctuated with practical examples.
Common TH Words
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These foundational words are perfect for beginners or anyone brushing up on their TH sounds.
- Thin – The thin sheet of paper tore easily.
- Thick – This soup is too thick to drink with a straw.
- Thank – Be sure to thank your host before leaving.
- Thief – The thief was caught red-handed.
- Thrive – Plants thrive in the right conditions.
- Throat – My throat feels scratchy today.
- Thread – Can you thread this needle for me?
- Throw – I’ll throw the ball to you.
- Thrust – He thrust his fist into the air triumphantly.
- Thrill – The thrill of the roller coaster made her scream.
- Thought – She had a thoughtful expression on her face.
- Thunder – The loud thunder woke us up during the night.
- Theme – The theme of the book is forgiveness.
- Theatre – We went to the theatre to see a play.
- Third – She finished third in the race.
- Thirteen – Thirteen is considered an unlucky number by some.
- Thursday – We have a meeting scheduled for Thursday.
- Thirsty – I feel so thirsty after running.
- Thousand – She’s read a thousand books in her lifetime.
- Thorough – The detective conducted a thorough investigation.
- Therefore – She didn’t study; therefore, she failed the test.
- Thermometer – The thermometer showed a fever of 101 degrees.
- Therapy – He attended therapy to help with his anxiety.
- Theory – The theory of evolution explains biodiversity.
- Throne – The king sat proudly on his golden throne.
- Thoughtful – It was thoughtful of you to bring flowers.
- Threat – The approaching storm posed a serious threat.
- Threshold – The technology is on the threshold of a major breakthrough.
- Thumb – She accidentally cut her thumb while chopping vegetables.
- Thorn – The thorn pricked his finger as he picked the rose.
- Thoroughfare – The main thoroughfare in the city was closed for repairs.
- Thermonuclear – The book discussed the impact of thermonuclear energy.
- Throaty – His throaty voice made him an excellent singer.
- Thumping – We heard a thumping sound coming from upstairs.
- Thumbdrive – He saved the presentation on his thumbdrive.
- Thespian – She has always dreamed of becoming a famous thespian.
- Thesaurus – I used a thesaurus to find synonyms for “beautiful.”
- Threadbare – The threadbare carpet needed to be replaced.
- Thrush – A thrush perched on the fence and began to sing.
- Thunderclap – The thunderclap was so loud it shook the windows.
- Throttled – He throttled down the car to slow its speed.
- Thermal – The thermal clothing kept us warm in the snow.
- Thicket – We got lost in the dense thicket.
- Thimble – She used a thimble to protect her finger while sewing.
- Thallium – Thallium is a chemical element used in electronics.
- Throes – She was in the throes of deep emotional distress.
- Thatch – The roof of the cottage was made of thatch.
- Thought-provoking – The professor’s lecture was very thought-provoking.
- Thriftlessness – His thriftlessness made saving money impossible.
- Thimbleful – He poured a thimbleful of whiskey into the glass.
Adjectives with TH
Need descriptive words to spice up your writing? These TH adjectives are your ticket to more vivid storytelling.
- Thickset – He has a thickset build, perfect for rugby.
- Thrifty – She’s very thrifty with her spending.
- Thin-skinned – He’s too thin-skinned for this job.
- Thorny – It’s a thorny issue to solve.
- Theoretical – This is purely a theoretical discussion.
- Thoughtful – A thoughtful gesture goes a long way.
- Thirsty – The plants were thirsty after days of sun.
- Thrilling – The movie’s thrilling scenes kept us on edge.
- Throbbing – I have a throbbing headache after the party.
- Thickened – The soup thickened as it simmered.
- Throaty – Her throaty laugh echoed in the room.
- Threadbare – His coat was old and threadbare.
- Thunderous – The applause was thunderous.
- Thirtieth – She’s celebrating her thirtieth birthday.
- Thwarted – Their thwarted plans left them frustrated.
- Therapeutic – A walk by the sea can be very therapeutic.
- Throbbing – The throbbing pain was unbearable.
- Thrice-blessed – He felt thrice-blessed to have his family.
- Thin – Thin hair requires gentle care.
- Thickened – The gravy thickened perfectly.
- Thawed – The thawed ice made the path slippery.
- Threadlike – The threadlike wires were nearly invisible.
- Thundering – The thundering waterfall was mesmerizing.
- Threatening – His threatening tone silenced the room.
- Thematic – The thematic elements tied the story together.
- Thermal – The thermal blanket kept us warm.
- Third-rate – The third-rate hotel lacked basic amenities.
- Thick-haired – The thick-haired dog needed regular grooming.
- Thorough – She conducted a thorough investigation.
- Thumping – The thumping music shook the walls.
Verbs with TH
Action-packed and versatile, these TH verbs bring life and motion to your sentences.
- Think – Think before you speak.
- Thank – Always thank those who help you.
- Thrust – He thrust the door open.
- Throw – She can throw a football like a pro.
- Throttle – He throttled back the engine to reduce speed.
- Threaten – Don’t threaten others in anger.
- Thrive – Businesses thrive with innovation.
- Thread – Can you thread this needle for me?
- Thwart – The hero thwarted the villain’s plans.
- Thin – You’ll need to thin the paint for proper coverage.
- Thunder – The clouds began to thunder ominously.
- Thaw – Allow the meat to thaw before cooking.
- Think up – Let’s think up some ideas for the project.
- Throw out – Don’t throw out perfectly good food.
- Tether – We’ll tether the boat to the dock.
- Thresh – Farmers thresh wheat during harvest.
- Thermostat – Adjust the thermostat if it’s too cold.
- Throb – Her heart began to throb with excitement.
- Thicken – The sauce will thicken as it cools.
- Thrust forward – He thrust forward with his shield.
- Thread through – She carefully threaded through the crowd.
- Throw away – Let’s throw away these old magazines.
- Think over – I need time to think over your proposal.
- Thunder down – The horses thundered down the field.
- Throttle down – He throttled down the bike on the curve.
- Thin out – The trees thin out as you climb higher.
- Threaten with – He threatened her with a knife.
- Throw in – They’ll throw in a free dessert with your order.
- Thrive on – He thrives on challenging work.
- Think through – Let’s think through the process step by step.
Nouns with TH
This list includes nouns that showcase the variety and versatility of TH sounds, perfect for enriching your vocabulary.
- Theatre – The theatre was packed for the final performance.
- Throne – The queen sat on a golden throne.
- Threshold – He stood nervously at the threshold of the door.
- Thermometer – The thermometer showed a high fever.
- Thorn – The rose bush was full of sharp thorns.
- Thunderstorm – A thunderstorm rolled through the valley.
- Thread – She sewed the dress with silver thread.
- Thought – The thought of the exam made her nervous.
- Thrift – His thrift helped him save for retirement.
- Thicket – The deer hid in the dense thicket.
- Theory – His theory on black holes gained recognition.
- Therapist – Her therapist recommended meditation.
- Threshold – Crossing the threshold, he entered a new chapter.
- Thermostat – The thermostat was set too low for comfort.
- Thoroughfare – The city’s main thoroughfare was crowded.
- Thimble – She used a thimble while stitching the fabric.
- Thirst – The desert trek left him with an unbearable thirst.
- Thermal – The thermal spring was warm and inviting.
- Thatch – The cottage had a roof made of thatch.
- Thunder – The sound of thunder made the children jump.
- Thumb – His thumb was swollen from the bee sting.
- Thirteen – Thirteen is considered an unlucky number by some.
- Thesis – Her doctoral thesis explored quantum mechanics.
- Throne – The king abandoned his throne for love.
- Threshold – The company stood at the threshold of success.
- Thrift shop – We found great bargains at the thrift shop.
- Thicket – The hunters navigated through the thicket carefully.
- Thistle – The thistle grew wild along the fence.
- Throat – His sore throat made it hard to swallow.
- Thousand – She counted a thousand stars in the night sky.
Abstract TH Words
These TH words lean into concepts, ideas, and intangible notions, enriching your intellectual arsenal.
- Thoughtfulness – Her thoughtfulness is what makes her a great friend.
- Thoroughness – His thoroughness impressed his supervisor.
- Therapy – Therapy helped him process his feelings.
- Thriftiness – Thriftiness can be a virtue in tough times.
- Thankfulness – Expressing thankfulness creates positivity.
- Theology – The study of theology often raises deep questions.
- Thermodynamics – Thermodynamics is a branch of physics.
- Threshold – The threshold of pain varies between individuals.
- Thirst – The thirst for knowledge drove her to excel.
- Theme – The theme of the party was retro Hollywood.
- Theory – A good theory is grounded in solid evidence.
- Thought – The thought of his success made her proud.
- Thoroughness – His thoroughness ensured no details were missed.
- Thankfulness – Showing thankfulness strengthens relationships.
- Thermal conductivity – This material has low thermal conductivity.
- Therapeutics – He specialized in advanced therapeutics.
- Threshold – She was on the threshold of adulthood.
- Thermoregulation – Animals rely on thermoregulation to survive.
- Thrift – Thrift is often overlooked in consumer culture.
- Thought – Positive thoughts lead to a better mood.
- Thoroughfare – The thoroughfare was bustling with people.
- Thematic resonance – The film’s thematic resonance was profound.
- Thermodynamics – His research in thermodynamics won him an award.
- Thirst for justice – Her thirst for justice led her to law school.
- Theory of evolution – The theory of evolution explains species diversity.
- Thirst for power – His thirst for power led to his downfall.
- Threshold of awareness – Meditation raises your threshold of awareness.
- Therapy session – The therapy session was both challenging and enlightening.
- Thankful mindset – A thankful mindset leads to happiness.
- Thorough investigation – The thorough investigation uncovered the truth.
TH Words for Kids
A simple, fun, and easy-to-pronounce collection of TH words, perfect for young learners.
- This – This is my favorite toy.
- That – I want to play with that ball.
- There – Look over there; it’s a bunny!
- They – They are my best friends.
- Thin – The paper is very thin and delicate.
- Thick – That book is so thick!
- Thank – Thank you for helping me.
- Throw – I’ll throw the ball to you.
- Thirsty – I’m thirsty; can I have water?
- Thumb – My thumb is sore from writing.
- Three – I have three candies.
- Think – Think carefully before you decide.
- Thunder – The thunder scared me!
- Throat – My throat hurts when I talk.
- Thursday – Today is Thursday.
- Thing – What is that thing over there?
- Thirty – Can you count to thirty?
- Thorn – Be careful with that thorny plant.
- Thread – I need thread for my sewing project.
- Thief – A thief took the treasure in the story.
- Thought – I just had the funniest thought!
- Third – I came third in the race.
- Theater – Let’s go to the theater for a movie.
- Thousand – I see a thousand stars in the sky!
- Thickset – The thickset tree trunk was impossible to cut.
- Thumbprint – I put my thumbprint on the paper.
- Thistle – That purple flower is called a thistle.
- Thrill – The thrill of the roller coaster was amazing.
- Thaw – Let the ice thaw before we use it.
- Thunderstorm – The thunderstorm made the lights flicker.
Advanced TH Words
Advanced TH words are ideal for learners who want to refine their vocabulary.
- Thermochemistry – Thermochemistry studies heat changes in chemical reactions.
- Theriomorphic – Ancient gods were often depicted as theriomorphic beings.
- Thermopile – The thermopile generated electricity from heat.
- Thalassocracy – The country’s naval dominance established a thalassocracy.
- Thermosphere – Satellites orbit in the thermosphere.
- Thanatosis – The animal’s thanatosis helped it escape predators.
- Thylosis – Thylosis can block xylem vessels in plants.
- Thermocline – The thermocline separates layers of water based on temperature.
- Thylacine – The thylacine is often referred to as the Tasmanian tiger.
- Thermodiffusion – Thermodiffusion occurs in multi-component gas systems.
- Thanatophobia – Thanatophobia is the fear of death.
- Thylakoidal – Photosynthesis occurs within thylakoidal membranes.
- Thermogenics – Thermogenics are used to increase metabolic heat.
- Theosophy – Theosophy blends philosophical and religious teachings.
- Thermocouple – A thermocouple measures temperature differences.
- Thermostability – The enzyme’s thermostability makes it ideal for industrial use.
- Thermometry – Thermometry involves the measurement of temperature.
- Thymectomy – Thymectomy is the surgical removal of the thymus gland.
- Thrombophilia – Thrombophilia increases the risk of blood clots.
- Thermoregulate – Mammals thermoregulate to maintain body temperature.
- Thrombocytopenia – Thrombocytopenia is a condition involving low platelet levels.
- Theocentric – Medieval thought was often theocentric in nature.
- Thermogravimetric – Thermogravimetric analysis measures material decomposition.
- Thermotaxis – Thermotaxis is the movement of organisms in response to temperature.
- Thermotropism – Plants exhibit thermotropism in response to heat.
- Thermoluminescence – Thermoluminescence is used in archaeological dating.
- Thrombogenic – Some medications can have thrombogenic effects.
- Theriogenology – Theriogenology focuses on animal reproduction.
- Thermobaricity – Thermobaricity affects ocean circulation patterns.
- Thermodynamicist – A thermodynamicist studies energy transformations.
Phrases with TH
These phrases featuring TH words make your English conversations or writing sound more natural and expressive.
- Thank you kindly – “Thank you kindly for your help!”
- Thick and thin – “I’ll stand by you through thick and thin.”
- Throw in the towel – “It’s too soon to throw in the towel.”
- Thirst for knowledge – “Her thirst for knowledge knows no bounds.”
- Third time’s the charm – “Let’s try again—third time’s the charm!”
- Through and through – “He’s a true friend, through and through.”
- Thunder and lightning – “The storm brought thunder and lightning.”
- Think outside the box – “We need to think outside the box for this solution.”
- Thick as thieves – “The two of them are thick as thieves.”
- Thank your lucky stars – “You should thank your lucky stars you’re safe.”
- Thrown for a loop – “I was thrown for a loop by the sudden news.”
- Thin ice – “You’re skating on thin ice with that attitude.”
- Through the roof – “The prices have gone through the roof lately.”
- Thumbs up – “Give me a thumbs up if you agree!”
- Throw caution to the wind – “She decided to throw caution to the wind and go skydiving.”
- Think better of it – “He wanted to argue but thought better of it.”
- Throw shade – “There’s no need to throw shade during the meeting.”
- Thread the needle – “He managed to thread the needle in that negotiation.”
- Thin on the ground – “Resources are thin on the ground these days.”
- Thick skin – “You’ll need thick skin to handle criticism.”
- Thank heavens – “Thank heavens you made it back safely.”
- Through the grapevine – “I heard through the grapevine that you’re moving.”
- Thirst for revenge – “His thirst for revenge consumed him.”
- Throw someone under the bus – “Don’t throw your colleague under the bus like that.”
- Think twice – “Think twice before making such a big decision.”
- Thrown into chaos – “The city was thrown into chaos after the storm.”
- Thumb your nose – “He thumbed his nose at authority.”
- Through thick and thin – “She stayed by his side through thick and thin.”
- Third degree – “The police gave him the third degree about his whereabouts.”
- Throw money around – “He likes to throw money around to impress people.”
TH Idioms and Expressions
Fresh idioms and expressions featuring TH words for dynamic usage.
- Think tank – The think tank proposed innovative solutions.
- Thick-headed logic – His thick-headed logic was impossible to argue against.
- Throw a wrench in the works – The delay threw a wrench in the works.
- Thorn in the fabric – Corruption is a thorn in the fabric of society.
- Thrive in adversity – She managed to thrive in adversity despite the odds.
- Thread of continuity – The story had a thread of continuity throughout.
- Throw good money after bad – Investing more would be throwing good money after bad.
- Through fire and water – They remained loyal through fire and water.
- Thin veil of truth – The apology was a thin veil of truth hiding her lies.
- Thunder in the distance – I could hear thunder in the distance as the storm approached.
- Throw the dice – Life is often about throwing the dice and seeing what happens.
- Thirst for adventure – His thirst for adventure led him to explore remote jungles.
- Think on borrowed time – The company is surviving on borrowed time.
- Thick fog of war – Decisions in the thick fog of war are never easy.
- Throw your hands up – I wanted to throw my hands up in frustration.
- Thrill of the hunt – The thrill of the hunt kept him engaged.
- Threading the labyrinth – They spent hours threading the labyrinth of the ancient city.
- Thorn among roses – He felt like a thorn among roses at the tea party.
- Thick as molasses – His accent was as thick as molasses.
- Thunder rolls – The thunder rolls echoed across the hills.
- Throw weight behind – The politician threw her weight behind the new policy.
- Think aloud – Sometimes it helps to think aloud when solving a problem.
- Thin veneer of civility – Beneath his charm was a thin veneer of civility.
- Through sheer grit – He succeeded through sheer grit and determination.
- Third wheel – She felt like a third wheel during the date.
- Thunder of applause – The thunder of applause filled the auditorium.
- Thrive under pressure – Athletes often thrive under pressure.
- Think yourself through – Take a moment to think yourself through the challenge.
- Threadbare promises – The speech was filled with threadbare promises.
- Thrown for a spin – The unexpected question threw her for a spin.
How to Use TH Words for Language Learners, Students, and Teachers
Here’s how learners, students, and teachers can effectively integrate these words into their learning and teaching routines.
For Language Learners
TH words can be tricky because they require precise tongue placement and airflow. Here are some tips for learners to perfect their TH pronunciation and usage:
- Practice Tongue Placement
Focus on placing your tongue lightly between your teeth. For “voiceless” TH (as in “thin”), blow air out gently. For “voiced” TH (as in “this”), vibrate your vocal cords. Example: “Think about the theme of the book.” - Use Minimal Pairs
Practice words that are nearly identical except for the TH sound. Compare words like “thin” vs. “sin” or “there” vs. “dare.” Example: “The thorn is sharp” vs. “The horn is loud.” - Shadow Native Speakers
Listen to how native speakers pronounce TH words and mimic their speech. Use videos, podcasts, or language-learning apps. Example: Repeat phrases like, “Thank you for the thoughtful gift.” - Record Yourself
Record your voice as you say TH words. Compare it with a native speaker’s pronunciation to identify areas for improvement. Example: Practice sentences like, “The thunder made us think about shelter.”
For Students
Students can build their confidence with TH words through structured exercises and creative activities. Here are some effective ways to practice:
- Daily Word Challenges
Choose five new TH words daily and write sentences for each. Focus on both their pronunciation and meaning. Example: “The therapist gave thorough advice.” - TH Word Flashcards
Create flashcards with TH words on one side and their definitions or examples on the other. Test yourself or partner with a classmate. Example: Use cards for words like “thread,” “threshold,” and “thankful.” - TH Tongue Twisters
Practice fun tongue twisters to improve your fluency with TH sounds. Example: “Thirty-three thirsty thinkers thought thoroughly about thick thistles.” - Classroom Role-Playing
Engage in dialogues using TH-heavy phrases. Practice scenarios like thanking someone, describing objects, or discussing theories. Example: Role-play a conversation about “The Theme of Thursday’s Story.”
For Teachers
Teachers can turn TH word practice into an engaging and interactive part of the classroom experience. Here are some activities to bring TH words to life:
- TH Stories
Write or read aloud stories that include a variety of TH words. Ask students to listen for the words, then discuss their meanings and sounds. Example: “Theo thought Thursday would be thrilling, but the thunderstorm threw his plans into chaos.” - TH Word Bingo
Create bingo cards with TH words. Call out the words and have students mark them off as they recognize and understand them. Example: Words like “thumb,” “thrive,” “thunder,” and “thought.” - TH Sound Scavenger Hunt
Provide students with a list of TH words and challenge them to find these words in books, articles, or online. Example: “Find three TH words in today’s reading passage.” - Group Debates with TH Themes
Assign groups to debate a topic, encouraging them to incorporate TH words into their arguments. Example: Debate topics like “Is technology a threat to human interaction?” - TH Pronunciation Relay
Divide students into teams. Write TH words on the board. Students take turns pronouncing the word correctly before passing the marker to a teammate. Example: Words like “thirst,” “third,” “thermometer,” and “threshold.” - Create TH Word Poems
Have students write short poems using as many TH words as possible. This combines creativity with pronunciation practice. Example: “The thoughtful thrush sang through the thick thorn bush.”
Here is a video you can use to help yourself or your students learn TH words:
Voiceless vs. Voiced TH Words
One of the trickiest parts of mastering TH words is distinguishing between voiceless TH and voiced TH sounds.
While both sounds involve the tongue placed between the teeth, the key difference lies in whether or not the vocal cords vibrate.
Voiceless TH Words
In voiceless TH sounds, your vocal cords stay silent, and only air passes through as you pronounce the sound.
These are often found at the beginning, middle, or end of words. Think of it as a soft, airy sound.
Voiced TH Words
In voiced TH sounds, your vocal cords vibrate as you produce the sound.
You can test this by placing your fingers on your throat while saying the word. These sounds tend to feel heavier and are common in pronouns and linking words.
Quick Tips for Practicing Voiceless vs. Voiced TH
- Feel the Vibration
Place your fingers on your throat as you practice each word. If you feel vibration, it’s a voiced TH word; if you don’t, it’s voiceless. - Minimal Pair Practice
Compare similar-sounding words where one is voiced and the other is voiceless.- Think (voiceless) vs. This (voiced)
- Thorn (voiceless) vs. Their (voiced)
- Thick (voiceless) vs. That (voiced)
- Use Tongue Twisters
Practice tricky phrases that mix voiceless and voiced TH sounds:- “They think the thorny thistle thrives.”
- “This weather is better than that smooth leather.”
- Record and Play Back
Record yourself saying voiceless and voiced TH words. Play back the recording and check for clarity. - Shadow a Native Speaker
Find audio or video resources where native speakers n
Final Thoughts: TH Words
With these TH words, phrases, and sentences, your English arsenal is now truly formidable.
Keep practicing to master pronunciation and usage, and you’ll thrive in speech and writing. TH sounds can be tricky, but you’ll conquer them with time, patience, and regular tongue exercises.