thank you

thank you — exclamation

IPA/ˈθæŋk ˌjuː/
IPA/ˈθæŋk ˌjuː/

1. a polite phrase you say when someone does something kind for you or gives you a

1.exclamationA1
Definition

a polite phrase you say when someone does something kind for you or gives you a present, to let them know you appreciate it

Example

Ryo handed Tanvi her scarf and she said, 'Oh, thank you so much!'

thank you + so much for emphasis

Thank you for the flowers you sent while I was in hospital.

thank you for + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • thank you so much
  • thank you very much
  • thank you from the bottom of my heart
Synonyms
  • thanks

    more casual; common among friends and in quick exchanges

  • cheers

    informal, mainly British; often used for small favours

  • much obliged

    old-fashioned and formal; rare in everyday speech

Grammar Patterns

thank you (so much / very much)

thank you for + noun phrase

thank you for + -ing form

Usage Note

The most common and direct way to express thanks in English. 'Thank you so much' and 'thank you very much' add extra warmth.

2. a set phrase spoken in reply when someone asks how you are or makes a courteous

2.exclamationA1
Definition

a set phrase spoken in reply when someone asks how you are or makes a courteous remark about your wellbeing

Example

'How was the journey?' 'Fine, thank you — no delays at all.'

reply to 'how' question about wellbeing

'Did you sleep well?' 'Yes, thank you,' said Mauricio with a yawn.

Common collocations
  • fine, thank you
  • well, thank you
  • good, thank you
Synonyms
  • thanks

    equally common in this formulaic role; slightly more casual

Grammar Patterns

fine / well / good + thank you

yes / no + thank you

Usage Note

Distinct from sense 1: here the thanks is part of a social script, not a response to a gift or favour. The speaker is not expressing deep gratitude — they are following a politeness routine.

3. used to politely say yes or no when someone offers you something such as food, a

3.exclamationA1
Definition

used to politely say yes or no when someone offers you something such as food, a drink, or help

Example

'Would you like more rice?' 'Yes, thank you,' said Lien, holding out her bowl.

yes, thank you — accepting an offer

João offered Eitan a lift home. 'No, thank you — I'll walk,' Eitan said.

no, thank you — refusing an offer

Common collocations
  • yes, thank you
  • no, thank you
Synonyms
  • yes, please

    accepting an offer, but without the thanks element

  • no, thanks

    more casual version of 'no, thank you'

Grammar Patterns

yes, thank you

no, thank you

Usage Note

The 'thank you' softens both acceptance and refusal. 'No, thank you' is the standard polite way to turn down an offer in English.

Common Mistakes

No, thanks you.
No, thank you.
'thanks' never takes 'you' after it in this phrase.

4. said in a sarcastic tone to show that you are annoyed, disappointed, or do not a

4.exclamationB2
Definition

said in a sarcastic tone to show that you are annoyed, disappointed, or do not approve of what someone has just done or said

Example

'I forgot to feed the cat again.' 'Well, thank you very much!' said Lara.

sarcastic: 'well, thank you very much'

Tendai arrived an hour late. 'Thank you for waiting,' Jenna said flatly.

Common collocations
  • well, thank you very much
  • thank you for nothing
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

well, thank you very much

thank you for that / for nothing

Usage Note

Tone of voice is the main signal. In writing, context makes the sarcasm clear. 'Thank you for nothing' is a fixed sarcastic phrase meaning the opposite of its literal words.

Common Mistakes

Using this sarcastic tone with strangers or in formal settings.
Reserve for close friends and informal situations
it can sound rude otherwise.

thank you — noun

IPA/ˈθæŋk juː/
IPA/ˈθæŋk juː/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words relate to showing you value what someone has done, but they differ in warmth and formality. 'Thank you' and 'thanks' are the everyday terms — 'thank you' is slightly more polite, while 'thanks' feels quicker and more casual ('Thanks for the lift!'). 'Gratitude' refers to the deep feeling itself rather than the act of expressing it; you might feel gratitude for years without ever saying anything. 'Appreciation' stresses recognising the worth of someone's effort — a boss might show appreciation with a bonus, not necessarily with words. 'Acknowledgement' is the most formal and can be cold: a company might send an acknowledgement of a complaint without any real warmth. If you want to sound human and warm, stick with 'thank you' or 'thanks'; use 'gratitude' and 'appreciation' when describing the feeling in more serious contexts.

thanks ↗gratitude ↗appreciation ↗acknowledgement ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • thank you very much
  • a big thank you

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'thank' comes from Old English 'þancian' (to give thanks), which is related to the noun 'þanc' (thought, gratitude). The two-word phrase 'thank you' emerged as a polite formula in English by the 15th century, gradually shortening from longer expressions like 'I thank you'. The sarcastic use (sense 4 of the exclamation) developed much later as an ironic twist on the formula.