thank S1 W2 /θæŋk/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ thanks , ↑ thankfulness ; adjective : ↑ thankful , ↑ thankless ; verb : ↑ thank ; adverb : ↑ thankfully ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: thancian ]
1 . to tell someone that you are pleased and grateful for something they have done, or to be polite about it:
I haven’t had a chance to thank him yet.
thank somebody for (doing) something
Did you thank Uncle Ron for the present?
Madeleine thanked everyone for coming.
2 . thank God/goodness/heavens used to show that you are very glad about something:
Thank God that’s over! I’ve never been so nervous in my life!
thank God/goodness/heavens for
‘Only ten miles to go.’ ‘Thank heavens for that!’
3 . thank your lucky stars spoken used to tell someone that they are very lucky, especially because they have avoided an unpleasant or dangerous situation:
You should thank your lucky stars I got here when I did!
4 . only have yourself to thank (for something) spoken used to say that you are responsible for something bad that has happened to you:
She has only herself to thank if she doesn’t have any friends.
5 . you’ll thank me spoken used to tell someone not to be annoyed with you for doing or saying something, because it will be helpful to them later:
You’ll thank me for this one day, Laura.
6 . somebody won’t thank you (for doing something) used to tell someone that another person will be annoyed because of what they have done:
I know you’re just trying to help, but he won’t thank you for telling him how to do it.
7 . I’ll thank you to do something spoken formal used to tell someone in an angry way not to do something because it is annoying you:
I’ll thank you to mind your own business.
8 . have somebody to thank for (doing) something to say that you are grateful to someone who is responsible for something good happening. This expression is sometimes used humorously to mean that you are not grateful for what someone has done:
I have Phil to thank for getting me my first job.
And who do I have to thank for that mess on my desk?
⇨ ↑ thank you
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THESAURUS
▪ thank to tell someone that you are pleased and grateful for something they have given you or done for you:
She thanked them for the presents.
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You don’t need to thank me.
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He thanked her for coming and showed her to her car.
▪ say thank you to thank someone by saying the words ‘thank you’, or by giving them something:
I just wanted to say thank you for all your help.
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This gift is our way of saying thank you to everyone who worked so hard.
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Make sure you say thank you for your birthday presents.
▪ express your gratitude formal to thank someone for something they have done – used in speeches and letters:
I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have sent me letters of support.
▪ show your appreciation formal to thank someone by giving them something, or by doing something special for them:
To show our gratitude for all your hard work, we are paying you a special bonus.
▪ acknowlege to publicly do or say something to thank someone for their help or support:
The building will be named the John Laird Centre, to acknowledge the contribution of the Laird family to the area.
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He acknowledged the applause with a small bow.