thankful
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See grateful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thankful
First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English thancful; see thank, -ful
Compare meaning
How does thankful compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
On Thanksgiving, we remember to be thankful, showing and feeling our thanks for the meal and company in front of us. When you are thankful, you're full of thanks. It's a word that expresses either a feeling or showing of gratitude. You can be thankful that the long week is over, or you can give a thankful smile to your boss when she says you can leave a few hours early.
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.
Kane is thankful for Bellingham's presence in that leadership group, while Bellingham appreciates how Kane has always backed him in public.
From BBC • Jul. 7, 2026
"We don't know when or if Alfie will be able to return to bricklaying so his future might be quite different, but we are just so thankful that he survived."
From BBC • Jul. 4, 2026
"I'm just deeply thankful that we're even giving this a go."
From Barron's • Jun. 30, 2026
On our 250th anniversary, I am thankful for a country that allowed my ancestors to build.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026
Once again, I’m thankful for the distraction because no one pays much attention to me and Elsie whispering near the back of the crowd.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
