thank-you

American  

[thangk-yoo] / ˈθæŋkˌyu /

adjective

1. expressing one's gratitude or thanks.

   a thank-you note.

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noun

1. an expression of thanks, as by saying “thank you”.

   I never got so much as a thank-you for helping him.

thank you British  

interjection

1. a conventional expression of gratitude

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Etymology

Origin of thank-you

1785–95 thank-you for def. 2; noun and adj. use of verb phrase thank you

Example Sentences

Giving her $100,000 as a thank-you would be nice — but again, not necessary.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

Both demurred, though one sent a thank-you note.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

The eyewear makers all received thank-you letters from the president, recalled Karine Pelissard, who has spent 30 years in the trade.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

When Benton was nominated for a Tony in 2017, she wrote a thank-you note to McDonald.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 25, 2025

Many patients brought Doktè Paul a pig or a chicken as a present, had their photos taken with him, or wrote him thank-you notes.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• thanks