What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Thank vs Acknowledge - What's the difference?

thank | acknowledge |

As verbs the difference between thank and acknowledge

is that thank is to express gratitude or appreciation to someone while acknowledge is to admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a god.

As a noun thank

is an expression of appreciation; a thought.

thank

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) . Compare Dutch dank, German Dank.

Noun

(en noun)
  • (obsolete) An expression of appreciation; a thought.
  • * Bible, Luke vi. 33
    • If ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
  • * Milton
    • What great thank , then, if any man, reputed wise and constant, will neither do, nor permit others under his charge to do, that which he approves not, especially in matter of sin?

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) . Compare Dutch and German danken.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To express gratitude or appreciation to someone.
  • * 1900 , , (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) Chapter 23
    • The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman and the Lion now thanked the Good Witch earnestly for her kindness; and Dorothy exclaimed:
  • * , chapter=4
    • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=I told him about everything I could think of; and what I couldn't think of he did. He asked about six questions during my yarn, but every question had a point to it. At the end he bowed and thanked me once more. As a thanker he was main-truck high; I never see anybody so polite.}}
  • Credit or hold something responsible.
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=But Miss Thorn relieved the situation by laughing aloud,
    Related terms
    * thanks * thank you English transitive verbs ----

    acknowledge

    English

    Alternative forms

    * acknowledg (obsolete)

    Verb

    (acknowledg)
  • To admit the knowledge of; to recognize as a fact or truth; to declare one's belief in; as, to acknowledge the being of a god.
  • :* I acknowledge my transgressions. - ''Psalm 51:3 .
  • :* ''For ends generally acknowledged to be good. -
  • To own or recognize in a particular quality, character or relationship; to admit the claims or authority of; to give recognition to.
  • :* In all thy ways acknowledge Him. - ''Proverbs 3:6
  • :* By my soul, I'll ne'er acknowledge thee. - , III-v
  • To own with gratitude or as a benefit or an obligation; as, to acknowledge a favor.
  • :* ''They his gifts acknowledged none. -
  • To notify receipt, as of a letter.
  • To own as genuine or valid; to assent to, as a legal instrument, to give it validity; to avow or admit in legal form; as, to acknowledge a deed.

    • Usage notes

    * Acknowledge'' is opposed to keep back, or conceal, and supposes that something had been previously known to us (though perhaps not to others) which we now feel bound to lay open or make public. Thus, a man ''acknowledges'' a secret marriage; one who has done wrong ''acknowledges'' his fault; and author ''acknowledges'' his obligation to those who have aided him; we ''acknowledge our ignorance. * Recognize'' supposes that we have either forgotten or not had the evidence of a thing distinctly before our minds, but that now we know it (as it were) anew, or receive and admit in on the ground of the evidence it brings. Thus, we ''recognize'' a friend after a long absence. We ''recognize'' facts, principles, truths, etc., when their evidence is brought up fresh to the mind; as, bad men usually ''recognize'' the providence of God in seasons of danger. A foreign minister, consul, or agent, of any kind, is ''recognized on the ground of his producing satisfactory credentials. * See also confess

    Synonyms

    * avow, proclaim, recognize, own, admit, allow, concede, confess

    Derived terms

    * acknowledgeable * acknowledged * acknowledgedly * acknowledge the corn * acknowledged

    Related terms

    * acknowledgment

    References

    *