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

Park thanked residents across the city for donating and offering help without condition, as well as the volunteers, first responders, workers, faith groups, nonprofits and businesses that stepped in to fill the gaps before government systems could catch up. —City News Service, Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026

Trust, your feet will thank you. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Meanwhile, Fernando has credited both of his parents for his work ethic and thanked them for their support over the years. —Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026

And there are those who will argue that a US$10 clip-on and a bit of graft will do the job just fine, thank you very much. —New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026

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