interjection

thank you

thangk-YOO

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Thank you (interjection) means a polite expression used to acknowledge a gift, favour, service or kindness. Example: “Thank you for driving me to the airport.”

interjection

A polite expression used to acknowledge a gift, favour, service or kindness.

"Thank you for driving me to the airport."

"Thank you — that's very kind of you."

noun

An expression or gesture of gratitude.

"She sent a handwritten thank-you to every guest."

"A quick thank-you email would go a long way."

adjective

Serving to express gratitude. Usually written with a hyphen before the noun.

"He wrote thank-you notes for all the wedding presents."

How to use thank you

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhat you say when someone has done something nice for you.

When to use it

Neutral in every register. Adding "so much" or "very much" raises the warmth; a flat "thank you" delivered coldly can read as sarcastic or dismissive.

Memory tip

Keep it two words as an expression, and hyphenate it only when it sits in front of a noun: "Thank you for the gift" but "a thank-you gift".

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

thanks → thankful → thankfully →

Common pairings

thank you very much thank you so much thank-you note thank-you card a big thank you

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ for driving me to the airport.

Etymology

From Middle English thanke yow; as with thank God, praise be to God, and praise the Lord, it was originally a present subjunctive form but is usually not parsed that way in current usage. It has also sometimes been parsed as a prodrop form of (present indicative) I thank you, a mechanism that may plausibly coexist with the other one (instances being variable).

Origin: Middle English

Synonyms

View more →

thanks cheers much obliged ta many thanks acknowledgement gratitude

Related words

thanks response reserve recognition cheers appreciation TA Thanksgiving

Rhymes for thank you

ou you fou sou IOU Lou kou mou Zou Vou Hou thou

See all rhymes for thank you →

Frequently asked questions

Is it "thank you" or "thankyou"?

In standard English it is two words: thank you. "Thankyou" as a single word is a common misspelling, though it does appear informally in some Australian and British usage. Use the hyphenated "thank-you" only when it works as a noun or adjective, as in "a thank-you card".

What is the difference between "thank you" and "thanks"?

They mean the same thing, but "thank you" is slightly more formal and more emphatic, while "thanks" is casual and quicker. Use "thank you" in writing, with strangers, or when the favour was substantial; "thanks" is fine among friends and colleagues.

How do you reply to "thank you"?

The standard replies are "you're welcome", "no problem", "my pleasure" or simply "of course". In British English "not at all" and "don't mention it" are also common and slightly more formal.

What is the meaning of thank you?

"thank you" (interjection) means a polite expression used to acknowledge a gift, favour, service or kindness.

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thanks response reserve recognition cheers appreciation TA Thanksgiving