an expression of appreciation or gratitude or an acknowledgment of services or favours given - thanks to ⇒
because of: thanks to him we lost the match
an exclamation expressing acknowledgment, gratitude, or appreciation
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
thank /θæŋk/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object]
n. [plural]
interj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to express gratitude to (someone):We thanked him for his generosity.
- to hold responsible;
blame:We have him to thank for this lawsuit.
n. [plural]
- thanks, an expression of a grateful feeling for a kindness, etc.:Let us give thanks for this meal.
interj.
- thanks, (used as a way of saying "I thank you.'')
- Thank God or thank goodness, (used to express relief or gratitude that something is or comes out well or better than expected, or that harm or danger is avoided):Thank God we have our health.
- Idioms thanks to, because of;
owing to;
due to (sometimes used ironically):We were late thanks to the bad weather. - Idioms thank you, (used as a common expression of gratitude or appreciation, as for a gift or favor):She gave him a gift and he said, "Thank you.''
thank
(thangk),USA pronunciation v.t.
n.
interj.
thank′er, n.
- to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment to: She thanked them for their hospitality.
- have oneself to thank, to be personally to blame;
have the responsibility: The citizens have only themselves to thank for corruption in government. - thank God, (used interjectionally to express relief, thankfulness, etc.) Also, thank goodness, thank heaven.
- thank you, (used interjectionally to express gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment, as for a gift, favor, service, or courtesy).
n.
- Usually, thanks. a grateful feeling or acknowledgment of a benefit, favor, or the like, expressed by words or otherwise: to return a borrowed book with thanks.
- thanks to, because of;
owing to: Thanks to good organization and hard work, the benefit concert was a great success.
interj.
- thanks, (used as an informal expression of gratitude, appreciation, or acknowledgment).
- bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English: favorable thought, goodwill, gratitude, (in singular and plural) expression of thanks; Old English thanc (in singular) expression of thanks, origin, originally, thought, thoughtfulness; (verb, verbal) Middle English thanken, Old English thancian (cognate with Dutch, German danken); akin to think1
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
to convey feelings of gratitude to to hold responsible: he has his creditors to thank for his bankruptcy
'give thanks' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):