# thanking

/ˈθæŋkɪŋ/ (US) · /θˈæŋkɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/thanking
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. expressing gratitude

verb · CEFR A1

the action of saying thank you to someone.

For teachers: the present participle of 'thank', used to express appreciation or gratitude to a person for a gift, service, or kindness.

- She is thanking her teacher for the extra help after class.
- The CEO spent the afternoon thanking the volunteers individually for their tireless contributions to the charity auction.

### 2. the act of giving thanks

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the act of showing that you are grateful.

For teachers: the gerund form of 'thank', functioning as a noun to describe the process or instance of expressing gratitude.

- The thanking of the guests took longer than the actual dinner.
- The formal thanking of the sponsors was a key part of the evening's ceremony, ensuring their continued support for the foundation.

## Examples

- She is thanking her teacher for the help.
- The host spent the entire evening thanking the guests for their generous donations to the charity.
- By thanking the committee so publicly, the director ensured that every member felt personally responsible for the project's success.

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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.