English Reference
noun · interjection

thanks

n. · interj.
US /ˈθæŋks/ UK /θˈæŋks/ thanks

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.words or actions that show you are grateful for something.

    n.expressions of appreciation or gratitude, typically used in the plural form.

    Simple

    We would like to give our sincere thanks to everyone who helped us move house.

    In context

    The chairman offered his formal thanks to the departing board members for their years of dedicated service to the organisation.

    Usage

    Usually functions as a plural noun and takes a plural verb.

    Pitfall
    He gave me a thank for the gift. He gave me his thanks for the gift.

    As a noun, 'thanks' is almost always plural. You cannot say 'a thank'.

  2. 02 A1 Beginner Informal

    interj.a short way to say 'thank you' when someone does something for you.

    interj.an informal formulaic expression used to acknowledge a gift, service, or compliment.

    Simple

    Thanks for the coffee; it is exactly what I needed this morning.

    In context

    Thanks for the heads-up regarding the schedule change, as I would have otherwise missed the opening remarks.

    Usage

    Used as a standalone exclamation or at the end of a sentence.

    cheersta

Usage thanks in part · thanks to new


From Middle English thanks, thankes, from Old English þancas (“thanks”), from Proto-Germanic þankōs, nominative plural of þankaz (“thought, gratitude”), from Proto-Indo-European *teng- (“to think, feel”). More at thank.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin ine-pro *teng-
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated