Thursday
Thursday
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "Thursday" is /ˈθɜːrz.deɪ/.
/ˈθɜːrz/
/deɪ/
Word Form Variations
Noun: Thursday (singular), Thursdays (plural)
Adverb: Thursday (used to indicate on Thursday), Thursdays (used to indicate on every Thursday)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The fifth day of the week, following Wednesday and preceding Friday. It is named after Thor, the Norse god of thunder.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; refers to itself as a specific day of the week)
Antonyms: (Other days of the week are contrasting elements, e.g., Monday, Friday)
Definition 2: (Often plural "Thursdays") A particular instance or recurring period of time associated with that day of the week, often for a regular event or activity.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; refers to a specific instance or recurring pattern)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, as it refers to a specific instance)
Adverb
Definition 1: On Thursday or on every Thursday.
Synonyms: (No direct synonyms; refers to itself as a specific time adverb)
Antonyms: (Other days of the week used adverbially, e.g., "on Friday," "on Monday")
Examples of Use
Books:
"On a bleak Thursday morning, the letter arrived that would change everything." (Fictional example from a dramatic novel)
"The weekly department meeting was always scheduled for Thursday at 10 AM, a time rarely missed by any senior staff." (From a business management textbook describing typical schedules)
"Chapter 5 delves into the events that transpired during the pivotal Thursday of the revolution." (From a historical non-fiction book)
Newspapers:
"The High Court is set to deliver its ruling on the election petition this Thursday." (Daily Nation,)
"The Nairobi Securities Exchange will remain closed on Thursday for a public holiday." (Business Daily Africa)
"Every Thursday, the local market buzzes with fresh produce and artisan crafts." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Join our Thursday Night Live Q&A session with our lead developer!" (A promotional announcement on a tech company's website)
"Throwback Thursday: Relive the most iconic fashion moments from the 90s." (A common social media hashtag and content theme on blogs like "PopSugar,")
"Our weekly webinar series happens every Thursday at 2 PM EAT." (A schedule announcement on a professional development platform, e.g., Coursera)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "What about Bob? You want to meet me every day, all day? What about the vacation, what about the family? You're going to join us for dinner, what about Thursday?" (Bill Murray as Bob Wiley in What About Bob?)
Television Series: "This week on 'Crime Beat,' we revisit the infamous cold case that began on a rainy Thursday night." (Narration from a true-crime documentary series)
Song Lyrics: "It's a beautiful day, for the sun to shine, for the girls to flirt, for the boys to look fine. It's a beautiful day, it's a beautiful Thursday." (From a pop song celebrating a day of the week)
Video Games: "Your next mission objective will be available starting this Thursday at midnight." (In-game event notification, e.g., Destiny 2)
Podcasts: "Join us every Thursday for a fresh episode exploring the mysteries of the universe." (A podcast host's promotional closing, e.g., StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson)
General Public Discourse:
"Are we meeting for coffee this Thursday?" (A common question to confirm a meeting)
"I have a big presentation due on Thursday." (A statement about a deadline)
"What are your plans for Thursday night?" (A casual question about social activities)
"My favorite show airs every Thursday." (A common statement about television viewing habits)
"I always look forward to Thursdays because it means the weekend is almost here!" (A personal expression of anticipation)
10 Quotes Using Thursday
"Happy Thursday! Greet your problems with a smile and conquer them with courage." (Unknown, widely shared motivational quote)
"What about Bob? You want to meet me every day, all day? What about the vacation, what about the family? You're going to join us for dinner, what about Thursday?" (Bill Murray as Bob Wiley in What About Bob?, 1991)
"I wonder if it's possible to be a sole proprietor and to be extremely successful. My dream is to have one of those great solo careers, and that's the way I envision my retirement, as a solo artist, maybe playing a gig at a cafe on a Thursday night." (Todd Barry)
"They call it 'Throwback Thursday' for a reason. Because memory is a powerful, yet unreliable, tool." (Original quote)
"A good night's sleep on Thursday can make all the difference for a productive Friday." (Unknown, common advice)
"By Thursday night, after a week of being with my grandchildren, I'm exhausted." (Barbara Bush)
"This must be Thursday," said Arthur to himself, sinking low over his beer. "I never could get the hang of Thursdays." (Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 1979)
"My weekly routine revolves around getting a fresh supply of flowers every Thursday." (Lesser-known, but common in lifestyle articles)
"Thursday is, I think, a beautiful day of the week. It’s a transition day, a bridge to the weekend." (Original quote)
"If I had to choose, I'd say Thursday is my favorite day to get things done." (Unknown, common sentiment)
Etymology
The word "Thursday" has a very clear and interesting origin, directly linking it to Norse mythology!
It comes from the Old English word þurresdæg or þunresdæg.
Let's break that down:
þunres is the genitive (possessive) form of Þunor, which was the Old English name for Thor.
dæg is the Old English word for "day."
So, literally, "Thursday" means "Thor's day."
This naming convention for days of the week, linking them to Germanic gods, was common. It mirrors the Roman practice of naming days after their gods (e.g., "Dies Jovis" or "Jupiter's day," for Thursday), as Roman influence spread. Thor, in Norse mythology, is the god of thunder, strength, and protection, often associated with Jupiter/Zeus.
The first known use of "Thursday" in English, referring to the fifth day of the week, dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). It has held this meaning consistently for over a thousand years.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Thursday
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "Thursday":
Throwback Thursday (TBT): (Social Media) A popular hashtag and trend where people post old photos or memories on Thursdays.
Black Thursday: Refers to a specific Thursday (October 24, 1929) when the stock market crashed, preceding the Great Depression.
Maundy Thursday: The Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter, commemorating the Last Supper.
Fat Thursday: A traditional Catholic holiday marking the last Thursday before Lent, characterized by feasting.
Thanksgiving Thursday: (US specific) The actual day Thanksgiving is celebrated.
Happy Thursday! A common greeting or exclamation to celebrate the day.
Thursday feeling: The anticipation and slight exhaustion felt towards the end of the work week. (Lesser-known, but relatable)
To get a jump on Thursday: To start preparing for Thursday's tasks or events early in the week. (Original phrase)
The calm before the Friday storm: Describing Thursday as a relatively quiet day before the busy weekend. (Synonymous effect)
Thursday night lights: (US, often sports related) Referring to high school football or other events held on Thursday evenings.
To make it to Thursday: To successfully endure a challenging week up to that point.
Thursday club: An informal gathering of people that meets regularly on Thursdays.
Leaning into Thursday: Embracing the unique energy of the day, acknowledging the weekend is close. (Original phrase)
The midweek hump is over: Referring to getting past Wednesday, leading to Thursday. (Synonymous effect for progression)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Thursday from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
