: a polite expression of one's gratitude

Examples of thank-you in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Rather surprisingly, in our digitalized world, handmade thank-you notes are becoming popular again according to the couple. Brianna Kamienski, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024 For some, thank-you speeches should be in the fine-tuning stages. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2024 Most gift givers still prefer a handwritten note: 56 percent who took The Star’s recent online poll on thank-you notes indicated so. Melissa Schupmann, Kansas City Star, 1 Feb. 2024 Write a thank-you note: After thanking your host at the end of the night, send something tangible as well. Charlottefive Staff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Projects range from gardening and weeding at Grape Day Park, donating men’s clothing for folks in need, cleaning up the Escondido Bike Trail and downtown areas, cheering for kids at a sports clinic, and signing thank-you posters for firefighters and police. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2024 The acts of kindness can be as small as writing a thank-you note, reading a book to a child, or buying a cup of coffee for someone, but Gabe wants participants to share their stories on the Justice for Alexis Gabe page. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2024 As a thank-you, veterans were offered a free burger on Veterans Day. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024 Bassett’s speech initially followed the usual thank-you beats. Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thank-you.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the phrase thank you used in expressing gratitude

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of thank-you was in 1792

Dictionary Entries Near thank-you

Cite this Entry

“Thank-you.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thank-you. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thank-you

noun
ˈthaŋ-ˌkyü
: a polite expression of one's gratitude

More from Merriam-Webster on thank-you

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!