TA
TA (intj) means an informal way of saying thanks (chiefly British). Example: “Ta for the lift, see you tomorrow.”
How to use TA
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, informal "thanks," used mainly in British English.
Very informal; common in spoken British English but rarely used in writing outside of texts and chat.
Word forms
TAed past tense, TA'd past tense, TA'ed past tense, TAd past tense, TAs singular, TA's singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ for the lift, see you tomorrow.
Etymology
Origin uncertain — possibly imitating a young child's pronunciation of "thanks."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “TA” mean?
The word “TA” means an informal way of saying thanks (chiefly British). In plain terms, a casual, informal "thanks," used mainly in British English.
How do you pronounce “TA”?
“TA” is pronounced tah (/tɑː/ in IPA).
How do you use “TA” in a sentence?
Here is “TA” used in a sentence: “Ta for the lift, see you tomorrow.”
What part of speech is “TA”?
Depending on how it is used, “TA” can be an intj and a verb.
Is “TA” a common word?
“TA” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “TA” have?
“TA” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an informal way of saying thanks (chiefly British).
Is ta a polite way to say thank you?
Ta is a friendly, informal British way of saying thanks, fine among friends, family, and quick everyday exchanges such as being handed your change. It is not rude, but it is too casual for formal situations, letters, or professional emails, where thank you is the safer choice.
Is ta British or American?
Ta is chiefly British and is also common in Australian and New Zealand English. It is rarely used in American English, where thanks fills the same casual role.
Can TA be used as a verb?
Yes. In campus English, to TA a class means to work as a teaching assistant for it, as in "she TA'd two sections last semester". In this use it is written in capitals, unlike the lowercase interjection ta meaning thanks.
What is the difference between ta and ta-ta?
Ta means thanks, while ta-ta is an informal way of saying goodbye. Both are chiefly British and casual in tone, but they are not interchangeable.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include TA: