Thai
Americanadjective
noun
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Thais,
plural
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Thai
plural
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Also called Thailander. a native or or inhabitant of Thailand, or a person of Thai descent.
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the language of Thailand, a member of the Tai group of languages.
adjective
noun
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a native or inhabitant of Thailand
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the language of Thailand, sometimes classified as belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family
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:
A 50-year-old father and his two sons have been rescued after they were found adrift off the Thai island of Koh Samui, a local official told AFP on Saturday.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
If not tacos, I’ll maybe be craving some Thai food.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
It counts many prominent Thai figures as its alumni, from diplomats and athletes to several prime ministers.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
He is scheduled to be welcomed by an honour guard at Bangkok's Government House and then meet one-on-one with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a Thai official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
Percy uncovered the Thai noodles and unwrapped the cinnamon burrito.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
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
A 2024 survey by Thailand’s statistics office found that 45% of Thais over 60 have no savings at all, while another 35% have less than $3,000.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 26, 2026
They often hold public processions and are widely seen receiving alms of goodwill from ordinary Thais.
From Barron's ● Jul. 3, 2026
As the dust from what has been a hard-fought election campaign in Thailand settles, many Thais may be rubbing their eyes and asking, "what just happened?"
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
