80 Other Ways to Say "Thank You" in English • 7ESL (2023)

Before you learn about the many formal and informal ways to say thank you in English, it is important to understand its relevance in social interactions.

Thank You! Expressing Gratitude

Expressing gratitude is a norm in all cultures, no matter the language used. However, often the expression of gratitude is reserved for occasions that truly call for it.

For instance, in many cultures, a thank you in the local language will only be said if a person has received a gift or if a person has gone out of his/her way to do something for another individual.

In contrast, the use of “Thank you” in the Western world is as much a social etiquette as it is an expression of gratitude.

For example, if somebody compliments the clothes or the house of a person, in many cultures, the natives would respond with a smile or by expressing their gratitude to a higher power, but certainly not with a thank you to the person who has given the compliment.

However, in an English-speaking country, if someone says to you, “Your skirt is beautiful” or “I like your tie” or “You have a beautiful house”, not saying “Thank you” in response would be considered rude.

Similarly, when you ask someone to pass you the salt or some water at the dining table, you are expected to mutter a “thank you”.

So, for native English speakers, “Thank you” is not just about the expression of gratitude, it is more a social etiquette and a way to be polite. Having said that, if you find yourself confused, remember these 3 simple rules on when to say thank you:

• When someone gives you something, no matter how big/small, cheap/expensive the thing.
• When someone does something for you, no matter how important/unimportant.
• When someone compliments you, no matter how sincere/insincere the compliment seems.

And with that out of the way, continue reading to know about the formal and informal ways in which to say thank you.

Formal Ways to Say Thank you

1. Thank you:This is the universal expression of gratitude, one that works for small things and big ones and on all occasions. In fact, when in doubt, this is the one to use. Also, it works in both formal and informal situations.

2. Thank you so much:Think of this as a more intense form of the regular “Thank you”. For example, you have been invited to dinner and while at the table, the host/hostess serves you wine, you should respond to that with- “Thank you”. But after the meal, you’d say, “Thank you so much for inviting me over” or “Thank you so much for that wonderful meal”.

3. I appreciate this/ I appreciate your help/I appreciate all you’ve done for me: This is another way of saying thank you, and one that works in both formal and professional settings. But, this is more about appreciation than actual gratitude. For instance, when a colleague from your team at work has helped you to do something, you’d respond to that by saying, “I appreciate your help”.

4. I am grateful to you:Now, this phrase is all about gratitude, so it would not be appropriate to use it just because someone passed you the salt or got the door for you. Reserve this one for when someone has done you a favor.

5. I can’t thank you enough:This is second only to the phrase above in terms of expressing gratitude. Again, this should be used in response to an actual favor. For instance, your friend stayed up late just to help you study for your exam or your friend loaned you money that you needed urgently.

6. Much obliged: Also a formal way of saying thank you that can be used in professional written communication.

Informal Ways to Say Thank You

1. Thanks:This is one of the 3 magic words of English (the other two being please and sorry). Although you could use it in a formal setting when small things are done for you, it sounds better in informal environments. For instance, somebody holds the elevator door open for you as you rush to get in, respond to that with “Thanks”.

2. Thanks a bunch/Thanks a ton/Thanks a million/Thanks much:An informal way of saying “Thank you, I so appreciate what you have done for me”.

4. You’re the best/You’re awesome:This is another way of saying that after what you have done, for me you are the best person around. Usually, you would use “Thanks” either before or after this phrase.

5. You shouldn’t have:Again, use this phrase with a “Thank you” before or after it. This phrase is the most appropriate response for when you have received a gift

Idiomatic Ways to Say Thank You

1. You are a life saver/You saved my day:This phrase can be used with/without “Thank you”. Use it when someone does something that saves you a lot of trouble. For example, you need a file to complete the report you have to submit and your friend goes out of his way to get it for you.

2. I could not have done this without you/What would I do without you:This is a personal way of saying that your help was not just needed but a vital part of the task that was completed/work done.

3. I owe you one/I owe you:This literally means that I am indebted to you for what you have done for me.

4. You are an angel:Another way of saying that I am so thankful for what you have done that now I see you as my personal angel.

Professional Ways to Say Thank You

1. Thanks in advance:Use this after requesting someone to do something for you. It is a good way to say that because I am quite sure that you will oblige me hence I am thanking you in advance.

2. Thank you very much:This is a very formal way of saying thank you, hence it also works when used in professional correspondence.

3. That’s so kind of you:As with some of the other phrases, this phrase will take a “Thank you” before or after it.

How to say thank you! List of 65 powerful ways to say Thank You in English with pictures and video lessons. Learn these thanks synonyms to enlarge your vocabulary and enhance your communication skill in English.

List of Different Ways to Say Thank You

Learn how to say thank you meaningfully in English.

1. Thanks
2. Many thanks
3. Thanks a lot
4. Thanks a bunch
5. Thank you very much
6. It’s very kind of you
7. I really appreciate it
8. Thank you for everything
9. I owe you one
10. I really appreciate your help
11. I’m so grateful
12. Thanks a million
13. Thanks for everything
14. Thanks so much
15. I can’t thank you enough
16. I cannot express my appreciation
17. I appreciate your time
18. A million thanks to you
19. I owe you big time
20. I truly appreciate you
21. Thanks a ton
22. How thoughtful of you!
23. I’ll forever be grateful
24. Please accept my deepest thanks
25. You’re too kind
26. You are an angel
27. You are the best
28. You have my gratitude
29. You made my day
30. You saved my day
31. You’re a dear
32. You’re a life saver
33. You’re awesome
34. You’re great
35. You’ve saved my life
36. Accept my endless gratitude
37. All I can say is, Thanks!
38. All my love and thanks to you
39. Consider yourself heartily thanked
40. How can I ever possibly thank you
41. How can I ever thank you enough
42. How can I show you how grateful I am?
43. I couldn’t have done it without you
44. I do not know what I would do without you
45. I don’t know what to say!
46. Oh, you shouldn’t have!
47. I humbly thank you
48. Please accept my best thanks
49. I’m grateful for your assistance
50. I’m really grateful for your help
51. It is hard to find words to express my gratitude
52. It was so awesome of you
53. I really appreciate everything you’ve done
54. I really want to thank you for your help
55. I thank you from the bottom of my heart
56. I thank you most warmly
57. I want you to know how much I value your support
58. I wanted to thank you as soon as possible
59. I will never forget what you have done
60. I wish to thank everyone who pitched in
61. If anyone deserve thanks, it’s you
62. Your generosity overwhelms me
63. What would I do without you?
64. Words can’t describe how thankful I am
65. My gratitude knows no bounds.

How to Say Thank You (in Writing and Speaking)

1. Thanks a ton
2. I owe you one

These are genuine expressions of thanks that are usually used for friends or family. You can say these when someone has done something big for you, but probably not something life-changing.

1. Thanks
2. Thanks a million
3. Thanks so much
4. Many thanks
5. You’re too kind
6. You are the best
7. Thanks a lot
8. All I can say is, thanks!
9. Thanks a bunch
10. Thanks for everything

You can use these expressions of thanks in casual or somewhat casual, generic situations. For example, these would be fine to use with a coworker you’re friendly with, a good friend, or a regular acquaintance. These are usually used when the thing you’re thanking a person for is relatively small.

1. A million thanks to you.
2. I’ll forever be grateful.
3. You have my gratitude.
4. You’ve saved my life.
5. Accept my endless gratitude.
6. All my love and thanks to you.
7. Consider yourself heartily thanked.
8. How can I ever possibly thank you.
9. How can I ever thank you enough.
10. How can I show you how grateful I am?
11. I do not know what I would do without you.
12. It is hard to find words to express my gratitude.
13. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
14. I will never forget what you have done.
15. If anyone deserves thanks, it’s you.
16. Words can’t describe how thankful I am.
17. You are an angel.

These versions of “thank you” are a little over the top. This means they’re good to use for really, really big thanks, or as a way to make light of thanking someone for something smaller. Occasionally, they might even be used sarcastically to indicate a lack of thanks.

1. I’m so grateful.
2. I can’t thank you enough.
3. I cannot express my appreciation.
4. I owe you big time.
5. I truly appreciate you.
6. You made my day.
7. You saved my day.
8. You’re a lifesaver.
9. You’re awesome.
10. You’re great.
11. I couldn’t have done it without you.
12. I’m really grateful for your help.
13. It was so awesome of you.
14. I really appreciate everything you’ve done.
15. I really want to thank you for your help.
16. What would I do without you?

You can use these as ways to thank people when they’ve caused an emotional response. These can be used more casually, but usually, they’re used when someone does something really big or really helpful. These are almost always used as genuine thanks.

1. I don’t know what to say!
2. Oh, you shouldn’t have!

You can use these to thank someone in a situation you’re not entirely sure of. You can also use them if someone has given you a gift that you don’t actually care for, when you don’t want to either lie or hurt their feelings. In this latter case, make sure your tone is genuine or it might come across as sarcasm.

1. I appreciate your time.
2. How thoughtful of you!
3. Please accept my deepest thanks.
4. I’m grateful for your assistance.
5. Thank you very much.
6. I want you to know how much I value your support.
7. I wanted to thank you as soon as possible.
8. It’s very kind of you.
9. I wish to thank everyone who pitched in.
10. Thank you for everything.

These are more formal ways to say thank you. You can use these to express gratitude when the person you’re thanking is a boss or teacher, a respected relative, or if you’re not sure how to act around a person and want to err on the side of formality. If you use them in a casual situation, you might get funny looks, but it will get your point across.

1. I really appreciate your help.
2. I really appreciate it.

These can be used in formal situations or casual ones, and they’re relatively generic. If you’re at a complete loss on how to thank someone, you can use one of these.

1. You’re a dear.
2. I humbly thank you.
3. Please accept my best thanks.
4. I thank you most warmly.
5. Your generosity overwhelms me.
6. My gratitude knows no bounds.

These ways of saying thank you are fairly outdated. You might hear them from an older person, but from younger people, they might be used sarcastically. If you use these for genuine thanks, be sure that the other person knows you’re being serious.

Another Way to Say Thank You | Pictures

Ways to Say Thank You | Thanks Synonym Image 1

Ways to Say Thank You | Thanks Synonym Image 2

Other Ways to Say Thank You | Thanks Synonyms Video

Learn how to say thank you differently with this American English pronunciation video lesson.