gratitude

[grat-i-tood, -tyood]

noun

1. the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful.

   He expressed his gratitude to everyone on the staff.

   Synonyms: gratefulness, appreciation, thankfulness, thank

gratitude

/ ˈɡrætɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation, as for gifts or favours

Other Word Forms

• overgratitude noun
• ungratitude noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratitude¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin grātitūdin-, stem of grātitūdō “thankfulness,” equivalent to grāt(us) “pleasing” + -i- + -tūdō -tude

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratitude¹

C16: from Medieval Latin grātitūdō, from Latin grātus _grateful

Example Sentences

A good platza will leave one parboiled and beaten half to death, yet woozy with gratitude to have survived.

Read more on Literature

Still, she resolved to express her gratitude in some fashion.

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"I just don't think Alan would be able to comprehend the enormous sense of gratitude we have to him for being our patron and for putting himself through all that lying and deceit."

Read more on BBC

Speaking backstage, the childhood friends expressed their gratitude to each other.

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“I have so much gratitude for the people there. But I’m going down there to play a game. I’ve spent countless hours preparing to beat that team.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledgment 
• obligation 
• recognition 
• thanks