# thank

/ˈθæŋk/ (US) · /θˈæŋk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thank
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to express gratitude

verb · CEFR A1

to tell someone you are happy or grateful for what they did.

For teachers: to express appreciation or gratitude toward a person for a service, gift, or kindness.

- I forgot to thank my brother for the birthday present he sent me.
- The CEO took a moment during the annual gala to personally thank the volunteers who had made the event possible.

Usage: Takes a direct object (the person) often followed by 'for' and the reason.

### 2. to hold responsible

verb · CEFR B2

to say that someone or something is the reason for a situation, often a bad one.

For teachers: to credit or hold a person or factor responsible for a specific outcome, frequently used with ironic or negative connotations.

- We have the heavy rain to thank for our flooded basement.
- The candidate suggested that the voters had the previous administration's failed policies to thank for the current economic downturn.

Usage: Often used in the pattern 'have someone/something to thank for'.

### 3. polite command

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · British English

a firm way to ask someone to do something or to stop doing something.

For teachers: used in the future tense to express a firm request, command, or criticism regarding someone's behaviour.

- I will thank you to keep your opinions to yourself in the future.
- The professor informed the student that he would thank him to arrive on time for the remaining seminars.

Usage: Typically used in the form 'will thank you to [verb]'.

## Examples

- I want to thank you for the lovely gift.
- She forgot to thank her host before leaving the party, so she sent a polite text message the next morning.
- While the formal speech was brief, the director took care to thank every member of the production crew individually for their tireless efforts during the final week of rehearsals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.