rightful

[ rahyt-fuh l ]

/ ˈraɪt fəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rightful 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.

Nearby words

righten, righteous, righteously, righteousness, righter, rightful, rightfully, righting reflex, rightish, rightism, rightist

Origin of rightful

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

Related forms

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

un·right·ful·ness, noun

Can be confused

right righteous rightful (see usage note at right)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rightful

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
He was feeling too cheerful to use his rightful advantage over them, and decided to use a handgun, since they had nothing better.
World Without War|E. G. von Wald
We would not rob them, were it in our power to do so, of one jot or tittle of their rightful honor.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VII (of VII)|John Greenleaf Whittier
Her punishment was submitted to Leucippus, who was now, with joyful acclaims, saluted as the rightful Duke of Lycia.
The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb|Charles Lamb
But well he knew that war was at hand, and that the rightful king would soon strike for the throne.
Historic Tales, Vol 14 (of 15)|Charles Morris
He straightway devoted himself to a thing conceived on the day that Guida was restored to her rightful status as a wife.
The Battle Of The Strong, Complete|Gilbert Parker

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

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