1
: kindly or grateful thoughts : gratitude
2
: an expression of gratitude
return thanks before the meal
often used in an utterance containing no verb and serving as a courteous and somewhat informal expression of gratitude
many thanks

Examples of thanks in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Turkish Ambassador Murat Tamer thanked South Korea for helping Turkey during difficult times and conveyed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's thanks and regards to Yoon. CNN, 10 Feb. 2023 Taco Bell reported stellar growth in 2022, a feat executives said was achieved thanks in part to the A-list star of the fast food chain’s recent commercials. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for thanks 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thanks.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

plural of Middle English thank, from Old English thanc thought, gratitude; akin to Old High German dank gratitude, Latin tongēre to know

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thanks was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Thanks.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thanks. Accessed 3 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

thanks

noun plural
1
: kindly or grateful thoughts : gratitude
express my thanks for their kindness
2
: an expression of gratitude
give thanks before the meal
many thanks

More from Merriam-Webster on thanks

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