thank

[thangk]

verb (used with object)

1. to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment to.

   She thanked them for their hospitality.

noun

1. 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

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

thank

/ θæŋk /

verb

1. to convey feelings of gratitude to

2. to hold responsible

   he has his creditors to thank for his bankruptcy

3. used in exclamations of relief

   thank goodness

   thank God

4. used ironically to intensify a command, request, etc

   I'll thank you to mind your own business

Other Word Forms

• thanker noun
• rethank verb (used with object)
• unthanked adjective
• unthanking adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thank¹

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 think ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of thank¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. no thanks to, (used to express annoyance) not owing to.

   I caught my flight after all, no thanks to you.

2. 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.

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

4. have oneself to thank, to be personally to blame; have the responsibility.

   The citizens have only themselves to thank for corruption in government.

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

More idioms and phrases containing thank

• give thanks for small blessings

Example Sentences

Raleigh gave Ethan and Aiden signed balls and presented their father with a bat, on which Big Dumper had written, “Glenn, thanks for being a a good guy & nice catch.”

From Los Angeles Times

Three times, in court — and I won each time thanks to Ted Boutrous, one of the best First Amendment attorneys on the planet.

From Salon

Permanent or de facto ownership has so far been off the cards thanks to pressure from the proud Seychellois public.

From BBC

"I sent him an anonymous thank you letter but I haven't tried to get in direct contact yet. I'd like to," Raj said.

From BBC

Shatner also opened up about his health in his caption for the meme: “I over indulged. I thank you all for caring but I’m perfectly fine.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledge 
• kiss 
• praise