thank
THANGK
Thank (verb) means to express gratitude to someone. Example: “She thanked the volunteers for their hard work.”
verb
1
To express gratitude to someone.
"She thanked the volunteers for their hard work."
"I want to thank everyone who helped organize the event."
"He thanked the waiter warmly and left a generous tip on the table."
2
To hold someone or something responsible, often for something bad (usually with "for").
"You can thank the traffic for making us late."
"We have the new manager to thank for all these changes."
"You have your little sister to thank for the mess in the kitchen."
How to use thank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo say you're grateful — or, sarcastically, to blame someone for a problem.
Common pairings
thank you
thank someone for
have someone to thank for
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- thanks
- Past tense
- thanked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the volunteers for their hard work.
Etymology
From Old English þancian, related to the noun "thank" meaning gratitude or thought.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for thank
See all rhymes for thank →Frequently asked questions
What does “thank” mean?
The word “thank” means to express gratitude to someone. In plain terms, to say you're grateful — or, sarcastically, to blame someone for a problem.
How do you pronounce “thank”?
“Thank” is pronounced THANGK (/ˈθæŋk/ in IPA).
How do you use “thank” in a sentence?
Here is “thank” used in a sentence: “She thanked the volunteers for their hard work.”
What part of speech is “thank”?
“Thank” is a verb.
Where does the word “thank” come from?
The word “thank” comes from Old English. From Old English þancian, related to the noun "thank" meaning gratitude or thought.
Is “thank” a common word?
“Thank” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “thank” have?
“Thank” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to express gratitude to someone.
What is the difference between 'thank' and 'thanks'?
Thank is a verb — an action you do to someone, as in 'I thank you for your help.' Thanks is either the plural noun for expressions of gratitude ('give thanks') or a casual, standalone way of saying thank you. In short, you thank a person, and what you offer them is your thanks.
Is 'thank you' formal or informal?
'Thank you' works in almost any setting, from casual chats to formal letters. For extra warmth you can add 'so much' or 'very much'; for a more formal tone, phrases like 'I am grateful' or 'much appreciated' fit better. The shortened 'thanks' is friendlier and best kept to informal situations.
What is an example of 'thank' used in a sentence?
You might say 'I want to thank everyone who came tonight,' or 'She thanked the driver as she stepped off the bus.' The verb is usually followed by a person and often by 'for' plus the reason: 'He thanked them for their patience.' It always points to the person receiving your gratitude.
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