thank
gb/θˈæŋk/ us/θˈæŋk/
A1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Express gratitude to someone
To say you are happy about what someone did for you or gave you.
Usage pattern:
to thank [someone] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'thank' with 'welcome'. 'Thank' is used to show gratitude, while 'welcome' is used to greet or respond to thanks.
Synonyms
appreciate (More formal or can express valuing something in general, not just saying thanks)
Antonyms
blame (To assign responsibility for a fault or wrong instead of expressing gratitude)
Collocations
thank you
|thank someone for
|thank God
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I want to thank you for your help yesterday.
- She thanked the waiter for the excellent service.
- We should thank our parents for their support.
- He thanked the audience for coming to the show.
Learner examples
- I thank you for the book.
- She thanked him for the pen.
- We thank our teacher every day.
- He thanked his mother for dinner.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thank
IPA
GB/θˈæŋk/
US/θˈæŋk/
Syllables & stress
thank (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (thank)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: thank
- 3rd Person Singular: thanks
- Present Participle: thanking
- Past: thanked
Word family
Forms
thanks
verb
thanking
verb
thanked
verb
Core family
thankful
adjective A2
thankfully
adverb B1
Related words
thankfulness
noun
thanksgiving
noun
Negative and opposite forms
thankless
adjective
Expressions
thanks a lot
1/θˈæŋks ə lˈɑt/
fixed phrase
informal
Strong expression of thanks
Used to say you are very thankful.
Examples
- Thanks a lot for your help today.
- Thanks a lot for fixing my bike.
thanks anyway
1/θˈæŋks ˈɛniwˌeɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
Thanks despite no success
Used when someone tried to help but could not solve the problem.
Examples
- I couldn’t find your book. — Thanks anyway.
- Thanks anyway for looking into it.
thanks in advance
1/θˈæŋks ˈɪn ədvˈæns/
fixed phrase
Thanks before help is given
Used when asking someone to do something and showing thanks before they do it.
Examples
- Please send me the report by Friday. Thanks in advance!
- Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
thank God
1/θˈæŋk ɡˈɑd/
fixed phrase
informal
Express relief or gratitude
Used to show you are happy or feel safe because something bad did not happen.
Examples
- Thank God it didn’t rain during the wedding.
- Thank God you’re safe.
thank God
2/θˈæŋk ɡˈɑd/
fixed phrase
Expression of relief or thanks to God
Used to say you are happy or relieved about something.
Examples
- Thank God you’re safe!
- Thank God we finished before it rained.
thank you
1/θˈæŋk jˈu/
fixed phrase
Polite expression of thanks
Used to tell someone you are happy about what they did or gave you.
Examples
- Thank you for helping me with my homework.
- "Here’s your coffee." — "Thank you."
thank you
2/θˈæŋk jˈu/
fixed phrase
express gratitude
Used to tell someone you are grateful for something they have done.
Examples
- Thank you for your help.
- Thank you so much for the gift.