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

For all that, Graves can thank his limited menu, which helps keep costs down, and the chain’s rabid fanbase. —Chase Peterson-Withorn, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

There are many people to thank for getting this far. —Mitch Glazier, HollywoodReporter, 9 Apr. 2025

Many thanked local forecasters for years of clear-eyed updates, graphics and warnings. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 9 Apr. 2025

On behalf of everyone at Naughty Dog [which produced the games on which the series is based], our cast and crew, thank you so much for allowing us this opportuntiy. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 9 Apr. 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