rightful

[ rahyt-fuhl ]

/ ˈraɪt fəl /

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See synonyms for: rightful / rightfully / rightfulness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

having a valid or just claim, as to some property or position; legitimate: the rightful owner of the farm.

belonging or held by a valid or just claim: one's rightful property.

equitable or just, as actions or a cause.

proper; appropriate; fitting.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rightful

First recorded before 1150; Middle English; late Old English rihtful; see right (noun), -ful

OTHER WORDS FROM rightful

right·ful·ly, adverbright·ful·ness, nounun·right·ful, adjectiveun·right·ful·ly, adverb

un·right·ful·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rightful

right, righteous, rightful

Words nearby rightful

right-eyed flounder, right face, right field, right fielder, right-footer, rightful, right hand, right-hand buoy, right-handed, right-hander, right-hand man

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rightful in a sentence

I really think the meta narrative for me is that this is a year that gaming has finally been accepted at its rightful place as the biggest form of entertainment.
The Game Awards hosted Zoom calls with hundreds of fans. They were surprisingly orderly.|Gene Park|December 10, 2020|Washington Post
We should respect their rightful role in keeping our streets and cities vibrant, healthy and safe.
Myths and Shame Shouldn’t Guide Cannabis Regulations|John Bertsch|September 8, 2020|Voice of San Diego
On the other side of the bracket, PSG will square off with RB Leipzig, and a healthy Mbappé means Les Parisiens are the rightful favorites in this semifinal clash.
After Manchester City’s Big Loss, Who’s The Favorite To Win The Champions League?|Terrence Doyle|August 18, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Pick and rolls featuring Lillard as the ball-handler and Nurkić as the screener have resumed their rightful place as the foundation of the team’s offense.
With A Healthy Jusuf Nurkić, The Trail Blazers Are On The Cusp Of The Playoffs|Jared Dubin|August 11, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

It maybe painful at times for some people but it’s a positive and necessary process to go through for us to take a rightful place alongside all these other businesses who went through it a few years ago.
‘It is important for us to take a leadership role’: How esports giant FaZe Clan is working to root out bad behavior in the gaming community|Lara O'Reilly|July 8, 2020|Digiday
But fear of something that is not actually a threat is not rightful fear, but rather paranoia.
Ebola, ISIS, the Border: So Much to Fear, So Little Time!|Gene Robinson|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Imagine the rightful morning-after furor if a racial slight had been broadcast in primetime.
Why ‘Black-ish’ Has a Gay Problem|Tim Teeman|October 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, taking their rightful place behind the bar comes with a unique set of challenges.
The Ladies Disrupting the Bartender Boys’ Club|Brandy Zadrozny|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Theoretically, the bank should have tried to find the rightful owner.
Adolf Hitler: Secret Billionaire|Nico Hines|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Fire cannot kill a dragon,” says Dany, who asserts her claim as the rightful Targaryen heir to the Iron Throne.
Game of Thrones’ 8 Most Gruesome Deaths: From The Mountain’s Exploding Head Kill to Rat Torture|Marlow Stern|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But one thing remained for Felipe now, If Ramona lived, he would find her, and restore to her this her rightful property.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
When a man's in clink, his nag gets nothing but mild exercise till his rightful rider gets out.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Mr. Chumley worshipped money, anyway, and this was a worshippers rightful attitude.
The Girls of Central High on the Stage|Gertrude W. Morrison
The good character of the Irish railways was thus re-established, and they again held their rightful place in public esteem.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
John Smith was later charged with sedition, acquitted, and finally restored to his rightful council position.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey

British Dictionary definitions for rightful

rightful

/ (ˈraɪtfʊl) /

adjective

in accordance with what is right; proper or just

(prenominal) having a legally or morally just claimthe rightful owner

(prenominal) held by virtue of a legal or just claimmy rightful property

Derived forms of rightful

rightfully, adverbrightfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rightful

Origin of rightful

OTHER WORDS FROM rightful

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH rightful

Words nearby rightful

Words related to rightful

How to use rightful in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rightful

Derived forms of rightful