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

"He felt a real sense of debt and gratitude to our mum, because the support she gave him and the home allowed him to have the career he did."

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Serving others expands our capacity for gratitude more than any motivational quote on Instagram or self-help book ever could.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If you are staying with family, remember to express gratitude often: Hosting is not only stressful, but expensive.

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Students who saw our campaign were more willing to take social risks, such as complimenting peers, expressing gratitude and asking for help when they needed it.

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Here my gratitude to Heaney matches my thanks to his editors and his family, who have hatched this extraordinary book.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• acknowledgment 
• obligation 
• recognition 
• thanks