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

Her family thanked fans for their messages of support and told People magazine that the actress died of pneumonia on Saturday. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 16 Oct. 2025

On Wednesday, Keaton's family released a statement, thanking the star's fans for their love and support. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2025

Pope Francis recorded a pained and labored audio message Thursday to thank people for their prayers for his recovery, the first public sign of life from the 88-year-old pope since he was hospitalized three weeks ago with double pneumonia. —Brian Bennett, Time, 15 Oct. 2025

Appearing via a live video feed on Tuesday, Coristine thanked the court and police for bringing his attackers to justice. —David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 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

Rhymes for thank

• banc
• bank
• blank
• clank
• crank
• dank
• drank
• flank
• franc
• hank
• lank
• plank

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