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

Many thanked Rader for weighing in and agreed with his assessment. —Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026

Szydlo thanked the public for its interest in the case and for bringing the incident and video clip to their attention. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026

Gaetz, who represents northwest Florida, thanked Salzman for working with the state’s higher education institutions on the bill. —Camila Gomez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

In an appreciative statement posted Wednesday on social media—also an increasingly rare gesture in the midst of a coaching split—Hurley thanked Arizona State president Michael Crow and the school’s board of regents. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Mar. 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