: a polite expression of one's gratitude

Examples of thank-you in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In 2013, then-President Barack Obama penned a thank-you letter to federal employees for their service and scolded Congress for failing to approve a spending plan, without placing blame. NPR, 15 Oct. 2025 Owners Jerry and Susie Larson plan to retire, according to a thank-you message posted on Mad Swede’s social media. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 13 Oct. 2025 Papier x Anthropologie 12-Day Advent Calendar The teen who color-codes everything will get plenty of use out of this lovely set of surprises like notebooks, thank-you cards, a pencil bag, and a brass cherry bookmark from stationary brand Papier. Malia Griggs, Glamour, 9 Oct. 2025 From receiving a stark warning from a tech titan to earning a permanent thank-you from another, Risher’s unconventional career has been defined by taking on ambitious challenges. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thank-you

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

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Cite this Entry

“Thank-you.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thank-you. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

thank-you

noun
ˈthaŋ-ˌkyü
: a polite expression of one's gratitude
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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