rightful
Americanadjective
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having a valid or just claim, as to some property or position; legitimate.
the rightful owner of the farm.
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belonging or held by a valid or just claim.
one's rightful property.
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equitable or just, as actions or a cause.
adjective
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in accordance with what is right; proper or just
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(prenominal) having a legally or morally just claim
the rightful owner
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(prenominal) held by virtue of a legal or just claim
my rightful property
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of rightful
First recorded before 1150; Middle English; late Old English rihtful; see right (noun), -ful
Explanation
Something that's rightful is deserved or legitimate. If you accidentally grab someone else's coat when you leave school, you'll have to bring it back and return it to its rightful owner. You'll frequently find rightful describing the word owner: "Police were quickly able to return the puppy to its rightful owner after the hoodlum grabbed it from the back yard." Anything or anyone with a legal right to something is considered rightful, so a newly elected U.S. president takes their rightful place as leader of the country as soon as they're sworn in.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She said she had Lexie Ippolito to thank for it, a bride-to-be who discovered the long-lost dress in her Chicago family home and worked to reunite the gown with its rightful owner.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
However, he left the country in a cloak-and-dagger operation via Argentina and Ecuador, and landed in Florida on Wednesday, where he declared himself the rightful "leader" of Brazil.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
For his son Nic Pillinger, the discovery meant an achievement that had been "on ice for many years" could finally take its rightful place in history.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
After his death, Lillian fought in court with her four children, seeking what she viewed as her rightful portion of Sol’s wealth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
“Wherefore dalliest thou? With the speed of a wingéd monkey, convey it presently to its rightful owner. Huzzah!”
From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
