thank

[ thangk ]

/ θæŋk /

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See synonyms for: thank / thanked / thanking / thanks on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment to: She thanked them for their hospitality.

noun

Usually thanks . a grateful feeling or acknowledgment of a benefit, favor, or the like, expressed by words or otherwise: to return a borrowed book with thanks.

interjection

thanks, (used as an informal expression of gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about thank

have oneself to thank, to be personally to blame; have the responsibility: The citizens have only themselves to thank for corruption in government.

no thanks to, (used to express annoyance) not owing to: I caught my flight after all, no thanks to you.

thank God, (used as an interjection to express relief, thankfulness, etc.)Also thank goodness, thank heaven .

thanks to, (used to express gratitude or blame) because of; owing to: Thanks to good organization and hard work, the benefit concert was a great success.The case went poorly thanks to the lawyer's incompetence.

thank you, (used as an interjection to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment, as for a gift, favor, service, or courtesy).

Origin of thank

First recorded before 900; Middle English (noun) “favorable thought, goodwill, gratitude,” (in singular and plural) expression of thanks; Old English thanc (in singular) expression of thanks, originally, “thought, thoughtfulness”; akin to think¹

OTHER WORDS FROM thank

thanker, nounre·thank, verb (used with object)un·thanked, adjectiveun·thank·ing, adjective

Words nearby thank

thaneship, Thanet, thang, thangka, Thanjavur, thank, thankee, thankful, thankfully, thank God, thankless

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use thank in a sentence

It was all thanks to a sturdy defense and enough scoring to get by, led by right wing Mark Stone’s 11 points and left wing Max Pacioretty’s six goals in seven games.
Which Of The NHL’s Best Teams So Far Are For Real?|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|February 5, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
This is in part thanks to designers including Amanda Lindroth, Celerie Kemble, Aerin Lauder and Sarah Bartholomew, all of whom are known for their beautiful, breezy, island-inspired rooms.
The hottest decorating trends for 2021 aren’t trendy at all — and that’s the point|Elizabeth Mayhew|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Sony claims shooters will get up to 30 minutes of 8K shooting thanks to internal cooling structures, but it will be interesting to see how those promises pan out in the real world.
Sony’s pro-grade Alpha 1 is the first in a whole new category of cameras|Stan Horaczek|January 26, 2021|Popular-Science
Then it still doesn’t require “you’re welcome,” but does require another letter of thanks for the present — which the recipient needn’t answer, so that is the end of the chain.
Miss Manners: Skip the ‘You’re welcome’ email|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|January 19, 2021|Washington Post

The record speed of vaccine development was partly thanks to AI models that helped researchers analyze vast amounts of data about coronavirus.
These five AI developments will shape 2021 and beyond|Jason Sparapani|January 14, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Heinold's First and Last Chance, Oakland (Jack London, Taft) You can thank Johnny Heinold for your favorite Jack London book.
The Bars That Made America Great|Nina Strochlic|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then the sun went down and the anger came back as a “Thank You NYPD” rally traded insults with counter-protestors.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Enforcement of U.S Code, Title VII, Chapter 25A “Export Standards for Grapes and Plums” remains fully funded, thank goodness.
Congress’ Gift That Keeps on Giving|P. J. O’Rourke|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I want to thank support from the Vatican, especially Pope Francis,” he said in a televised statement.
The Pope's Diplomatic Miracle: Ending the U.S.-Cuba Cold War|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However you decide to vote in the end, I thank those who continue to give us leverage to improve the bill.
Nancy Pelosi Plays Hardball On Cromnibus|Ben Jacobs|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I most humbly thank your lordship," replied the butler with an air of profound gratitude, as he chuckled in his sleeve.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
And under these conditions we have already, thank God, baptized four of them.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
I hope the French Government will recognize this dashing stroke of d'Amade's by something more solid than a thank you.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
I thank you, General, but General Blair has just done me the great honor of appointing me on his staff.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Thank you for nothing, Reginald; however, I shall certainly take a dip in the lucky-bag at the Castle.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

British Dictionary definitions for thank

thank

/ (θæŋk) /

verb (tr)

to convey feelings of gratitude to

to hold responsiblehe has his creditors to thank for his bankruptcy

used in exclamations of reliefthank goodness; thank God

I'll thank you to used ironically to intensify a command, request, etcI'll thank you to mind your own business

Word Origin for thank

Old English thancian; related to Old Frisian thankia, Old Norse thakka, Old Saxon, Old High German thancōn

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with thank

thank

In addition to the idioms beginning with thank

thank God
thank one's lucky stars
thanks to

also see:

give thanks for small blessings

thank

Idioms about thank

Origin of thank

OTHER WORDS FROM thank

Words nearby thank

Words related to thank

How to use thank in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for thank

Word Origin for thank

Other Idioms and Phrases with thank