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

McLaughlin also thanked the multi-disciplinary human trafficking team that helped with the case and supported the victims. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

In a farewell message shared on Instagram, management thanked the Dilworth community for its years of support without mentioning the reason for the closure. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026

In a statement released Wednesday, GKN Aerospace apologized for the disruption caused by the emergency and thanked the emergency responders and the public agencies involved in trying to mitigate the threat. —Sean Emery, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Sánchez thanked his teammates for their support — in the good and the bad times. —Matt Gelb, New York Times, 28 May 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