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Thai

American  
[tahy] / taɪ /

adjective

  1. Formerly Siamese. of or relating to Thailand, its people, or their language.


noun

  • Thais,
    plural
  • Thai
    plural
  1. Also called Thailander. a native or or inhabitant of Thailand, or a person of Thai descent.

  2. the language of Thailand, a member of the Tai group of languages.

Thai British  
/ taɪ /

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Thailand, its people, or their language

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of Thailand

  2. the language of Thailand, sometimes classified as belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of Thai

First recorded in 1800–10; from Thai; literally, “free,” a self-designation


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Unlike with inflation, the Thai economy entered the oil shock in an unfavorable position on the demand front.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Thailand's Queen Suthida made her first solo flight in a fighter jet, according to the Thai Royal Household.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

It came the day before an expected decision on a legal challenge brought by Bai's lawyers against Thai authorities over his continued detention.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

Thai authorities began extradition proceedings on Thursday against a Chinese investigative reporter wanted by Beijing and detained for months in Thailand, his lawyer and an official told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026

I’m starving, even though I scarfed down all of my pad Thai, but there is nothing to eat.

From "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez

The World Bank, meanwhile, forecasts that by the early 2040s, the number of Thais over 80 who need assistance will increase sixfold to around 2.5 million.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026

It’ll benefit indirectly from Thailand’s ‘Thais Help Thais Plus’ scheme in 2Q via factors including subsidy registration and higher data consumption, the analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Experts said the case marks an unprecedented shift in Thailand -- which never had a #MeToo movement -- with Thais more openly discussing sexual harassment and abuse.

From Barron's ● May 25, 2026

Thai society has evolved, said social psychology lecturer Apitchaya Chaiwutikornwanich, explaining that young Thais have "learned the concept of human rights and the rights to own one's body".

From Barron's ● May 25, 2026

The historical southward expansions of Burmese, Laotians, and Thais from South China completed the Sinification of tropical Southeast Asia.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

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