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thank

THANK/θæŋk/

Formsthanks, thanking, thanked

5 meanings of thank

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To tell or show someone you are grateful for something they did.

    Like clapping for someone after they do something kind for you.

    I want to thank everyone who helped us move into the new house.

    She thanked the bus driver as she stepped off at her stop.

    UsageSay thank someone for something.

    Note
  2. 2
    blameverbfigurativelytransitive
    To say someone or something caused a bad result, often in an angry or joking way.

    You can thank the rain for our ruined picnic this afternoon.

    We can thank the heavy traffic for making us miss the start.

    UsageSay you can thank someone for a problem.

    Similarblame

    Note
  3. 3
    demandverbtransitive
    To firmly tell someone to do something, usually when you are annoyed with them.

    The teacher looked up and said, "I'll thank you not to talk during the test."

    Grandma will thank you to wipe your feet before you come into her kitchen.

    UsageSay I'll thank you to or I'll thank you not to do something.

    Similarask

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    gratitudenounobsolete
    Singular of thanks. An older word for a single word or feeling of gratitude.
    If ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, thank means thanks or credit, so what thanks do you deserve?
    What great thank, then, if any man, reputed wise and constant, will neither do, nor permit others under his charge to do, that which he approves not, especially in matter of sin?
    1643, J[ohn] M[ilton], The Doctrine and Discipline of DivorceHere, thank means thanks or credit for doing something good.
    Note
  2. 5
    express gratitudeverbobsoleteintransitive
    To say or show that you feel grateful.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of thank apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meaning 4

This word comes from Old English "þanc," meaning gratitude or thanks. It goes back to older words meaning "to think."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 1–3, 5

This is the verb form. It comes from Old English "þancian," meaning "to thank," built from the noun "thank."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The verb comes from Old English þancian, meaning 'to thank'. en.wiktionary.org
  • The verb has a noun-based origin: its ancestral form was built from the ancestor of the noun thank. en.wiktionary.org