thank

Thank is a verb that means to express gratitude toward someone for something they have done. In modern English it is typically transitive, as in “I thank you for your help,” and can take a direct object representing the person being thanked. The word also appears as a noun in “thanks” or as the fixed interjection “thank you.” The related adjective “thankful” denotes a feeling of gratitude.

Etymology: The verb comes from Old English þancian, from þanc meaning thought or gratitude. It is cognate with similar Germanic forms and is historically tied to the noun “thanks,” which originally referred to the expression of gratitude and later generalized to the expression itself.

Usage: In modern usage, “thank” is often followed by “for” to indicate the reason, as in “I thank you for your assistance.” The phrase “thank you” is a common polite utterance, while “thanks” is more informal. “Thank you very much” and “thanks a lot” add emphasis. In formal writing, “I would like to thank…” is used to acknowledge someone’s contribution.

Related forms include “thankful” (grateful), “thankfulness” (the state of gratitude), “thanksgiving” (the act of giving thanks; also the name of a holiday), and “thankless” (ungrateful).

Cross-cultural considerations: expressions of gratitude vary by language and culture, including when to say it and how explicitly. In English-speaking contexts, gratitude is often conveyed directly, while in some cultures it may be expressed more indirectly or with modest language. The practice remains a standard element of polite interaction.