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Thank vs Grateful - What's the difference?

thank | grateful |

As a noun thank

is an expression of appreciation; a thought.

As a verb thank

is to express gratitude or appreciation to someone.

As an adjective grateful is

showing appreciation, being thankful.

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,

    grateful

    English

    (Gratitude)

    Alternative forms

    * gratefull (archaic)

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Showing appreciation, being thankful.
  • I'm grateful that you helped me out.
    I'm grateful to you for helping me out
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=May 5 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Carroll thought he had equalised with his header against the bar with eight minutes left. Liverpool claimed the ball had cross the line and Chelsea were grateful for a miraculous intervention from Cech to turn his effort on to the woodwork.}}
  • Recognizing the importance of a source of pleasure.
  • Pleasing, welcome.
  • * Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Skeleton in Armor :
  • Fell I upon my spear, / Oh, death was grateful !
  • * Herman Melville, Omoo
  • grateful underfoot was the damp and slightly yielding beach, from which the waves seemed just retired.

    Synonyms

    * thankful * appreciative

    Antonyms

    * ungrateful

    Derived terms

    * gratefulness