thank

verb

ˈthaŋk 

thanked; thanking; thanks

transitive verb

1

: to express gratitude to

thanked her for the present

—used in the phrase thank you usually without a subject to politely express gratitude

thank you for your consideration

or sometimes to emphasize a preceding statement especially by implying that it is not subject to question

likes her job just fine, thank you

—used in such phrases as thank God, thank goodness usually without a subject to express gratitude or more often only the speaker's or writer's pleasure or satisfaction in something

2

: to hold responsible

had only himself to thank for his loss

thanker noun

Examples of thank in a Sentence

I want to thank everyone who helped today.

There's no need to thank me. Anyone would have done the same.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement Lee’s family spoke to reporters after the verdict was read and thanked the jury and prosecutors for securing a guilty verdict. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

There will be no words to properly thank her for my 70th extravaganza. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024

Never one to let drama keep him down, Foxx took to Instagram the next day to thank his fans for their support following the incident. —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 15 Dec. 2024

Congressman Mike Waltz, thank you for joining us today. —CBS News, 15 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thancian; akin to Old English thanc gratitude — more at thanks

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thank

• have (someone or something) to thank for (something)
• thank God/goodness/heaven(s)/the Lord
• thank one's lucky stars
• thank-you
• thank-you-ma'am

Kids Definition

thank

verb

ˈthaŋk 

1

: to express gratitude to

thanked her for the present

2

: to hold responsible

had only myself to thank for my loss