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

Fevers can be treated with ibuprofen and acetaminophen, thank goodness; for everything else, good luck. —Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2025

Glenn Martin, a criminal justice reform advocate, celebrated the news on X and thanked the president, his daughter Ivanka Trump, and fellow criminal justice reform advocate Dr. Topeka K. Sam, among others, for helping to make Watson's commutation possible. —Sara Fischer, Axios, 29 Mar. 2025

And always, always thank them for their time and consideration. —Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Of that part that is beyond the life story, beyond the story of the life, there is – alas, or perhaps thank mercy – no telling. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 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