Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

thankless

/θˈæŋkləs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.61 in modern English

Syllables: thank-less
IPA: /θˈæŋkləs/

16

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Not appreciated or rewarded.

adj

Ungrateful or unappreciative.

Example Sentences

"One indispensable and thankless Unesco task is organizing tsunami warnings systems and pushing for tsunami education on risky shores around the world."
"In a raucous atmosphere, it was an unforgiving and physical contest from the start. Grant Hanley conceded the first free-kick within the opening 20 seconds, setting the tone for a busy and thankless evening for Serbian referee Milorad Mazic."

Etymology

From Middle English thankles, equivalent to thank + -less.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: thankles
Suffix: thank

Derived Forms

thanklessly thanklessness

Synonyms

ungrateful unthankful unappreciated ungratifying

Antonyms

thankful

Questions

How do you pronounce thankless?: The recorded pronunciation is /θˈæŋkləs/.
What does thankless mean?: Not appreciated or rewarded.
Where does thankless come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce thankless

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “thankless”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/θˈæŋkləs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “thankless”.
Repeat and practice — Say “thankless” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.