: a polite expression of one's gratitude

Examples of thank-you in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Attendees will learn about local efforts to protect the Santa Monica Mountains and write thank-you letters to local rangers. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2025 Arne’s thank-you message usually comes back straight away. Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 Personalized thank-you notes to mentors, team members, and supportive colleagues can leave a lasting positive impression. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 But recognition isn’t just about employee-of-the-month awards or generic thank-you emails. Ankita Singh, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thank-you

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase thank you used in expressing gratitude

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thank-you was in 1792

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thank-you.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thank-you. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

thank-you

noun
ˈthaŋ-ˌkyü
: a polite expression of one's gratitude
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!