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

Khalil also thanked those who have supported him during his months-long detention. —Armando Garcia, ABC News, 21 June 2025

As the evening drew to a close, Laila warmly thanked those who had gathered to share and listen to her son’s writing, and to continue calling for his release. —Margaret Busby june 20, Literary Hub, 20 June 2025

At one of the U.K. concerts in Manchester on Sunday, Brown thanked his fans for showing up and supporting him. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 20 June 2025

Include templates for: thanking for feedback, answering a question, responding to a complaint, celebrating their win, and following up on their challenge. —Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 20 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