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

The group also thanked the Eavis family, Glastonbury’s organisers, for standing by them amidst calls for their removal. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 1 July 2025

On Instagram Friday, Kayla thanked a commenter who shared their support for the family during the difficult time. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 30 June 2025

Netanyahu thanked Trump in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. —Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 30 June 2025

Assistant Superintendent Cynthia Mose-Trevino also thanked Johnson-Shirley for serving as a mentor. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 30 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