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

Hough went into greater detail in a lengthy caption accompanying the video, thanking Dr. Carolyn Alexander and her team at Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, which specializes in fertility care and helping to create families, according to its website. —Stephanie Guerilus, People.com, 8 June 2025

Trump thanked him repeatedly for his service and presented him with a gold key in the Oval Office on May 30. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 8 June 2025

The Athletic would like to thank all of its subscribers who took part in our Manchester United end-of-season survey. —Carl Anka, New York Times, 7 June 2025

The Imagine Entertainment co-founder was also among those signing an open letter thanking Joe Biden in 2023 for his efforts to release hostages in Gaza. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 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