Meaning & Definition of word "Thankless"

Thankless

/ˈθæŋkləs/

adjective:

  • 1. Not receiving gratitude or appreciation; unappreciated.
    • Example: She found her thankless job exhausting, as her hard work went unnoticed.
  • 2. Producing no useful or rewarding results; unrewarding.
    • Example: Volunteering can sometimes feel thankless, especially when your efforts are not recognized.
  • 3. Involving a lot of work without any acknowledgment or reward.
    • Example: He dedicated years to the thankless task of cleaning up the community park.

Etymology

From thank + less.

Common Phrases and Expressions

a thankless task:

A task that is not appreciated or rewarded.

Related Words

appreciate:

To recognize the full worth of something.

gratitude:

The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation.

Slang Meanings of thankless

Meaning: Getting no props for hard work.

Example Sentence: That project's a real thankless gig.

Meaning: Doing something for no recognition.

Example Sentence: He's stuck in a thankless job.