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

Taschen, according to one New York dealer, showed up even before the fair opened, to stroll the aisles and earnestly, joyfully thank out-of-town dealers for coming. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 21 Feb. 2025

Bentz didn't directly respond to the remark, instead thanking the woman and the audience and encouraging people to share thoughts or comments with his team. —John Parkinson, ABC News, 21 Feb. 2025

Flight attendants have thanked me for keeping us all safe. —Ashley J. Dimella Fox News, Fox News, 21 Feb. 2025

This post had no buildup or context, as far as X goes, as his tweets prior were thanking Adam Sandler for showing him love and analyzing the existence of hermaphrodites. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 20 Feb. 2025

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