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What does thankful mean


Thankful Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl 

1

: conscious of benefit received

for what we are about to receive make us truly thankful

2

: expressive of thanks

thankful service

3

: well pleased : glad

was thankful that it didn't rain

thankfulness noun

Synonyms

  • blissful
  • chuffed [British]
  • delighted
  • glad
  • gratified
  • happy
  • joyful
  • joyous
  • pleased
  • satisfied
  • tickled

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Example Sentences

Everyone was thankful to hear the good news. we were thankful that someone else was footing the bill for the lavish wedding banquet

Recent Examples on the Web One thing Today show fans were thankful for this past Thanksgiving? Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 1 Dec. 2022 Cat lovers will appreciate a felted mouse toy while the wellness-inclined (perhaps all of us, these days) will be thankful for a botanical throat spray or the Brooklyn naturopath Maria Geyman’s Calm tea. Kurt Soller Angela Koh Patrick Li Alice Newell-hanson Nancy Coleman Lindsey Tramuta Ella Riley-adams, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2022 Thanksgiving may be over but there’s still plenty of music to be thankful for! Cydney Lee, Billboard, 29 Nov. 2022 Melanie Griffith has plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 29 Nov. 2022 Here's something to be thankful for: the Northwest Ordinance. Michael Barone, Arkansas Online, 28 Nov. 2022 There’s not a lot to be thankful for at the Thanksgiving box office. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 27 Nov. 2022 Add all of our first responders and medical personnel to the list of those to be thankful for. Lisa Respers France, CNN, 26 Nov. 2022 While DeJesus, 40, ended up having a traditional incision because his kidneys were so large, the couple has much to be thankful for. Ed Stannard, Hartford Courant, 24 Nov. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thankful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of thankful was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near

thankful

thankee

thankful

thankfully

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

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“Thankful. ” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thankful. Accessed 6 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

thankful

thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl 

: feeling or showing thanks

thankfully

-fə-lē

adverb

thankfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on

thankful

Nglish: Translation of thankful for Spanish Speakers

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

solace

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Thankful Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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[ thangk-fuhl ]

/ ˈθæŋk fəl /

See the most commonly confused word associated with grateful

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: thankful / thankfully / thankfulness on Thesaurus. com

This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adjective

feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

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Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

OTHER WORDS FOR thankful

grateful, obliged; beholden, indebted.

See synonyms for thankful on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of thankful

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English thancful; see thank, -ful

synonym study for thankful

See grateful.

OTHER WORDS FROM thankful

thank·ful·ly, adverbthank·ful·ness, nounsu·per·thank·ful, adjectivesu·per·thank·ful·ly, adverb

su·per·thank·ful·ness, noun

Words nearby thankful

thang, thangka, Thanjavur, thank, thankee, thankful, thankfully, thank God, thankless, thank one's lucky stars, thanks

Dictionary. com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

Words related to thankful

contented, grateful, indebted, overwhelmed, pleased, relieved, satisfied, beholden, gratified, much obliged, obliged

How to use thankful in a sentence

  • As I apply this to my career, I’m very thankful that I have a job where my work is valued and important to those around me, and beyond.

    Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in tech|Rachel King|September 4, 2020|Fortune

  • His book helped me in many different ways including how to be thankful and show gratitude in difficult situations, which makes them easier to manage in real time.

    Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in tech|Rachel King|September 4, 2020|Fortune

  • At first, I was so thankful to be alive that I decided I was going to “live life to the fullest.”

    The Accidental Attempted Murder|Eugene Robinson|September 2, 2020|Ozy

  • It’s a time to be thankful for important things we still have, not to bemoan the absence of trivial things we don’t.

    ‘Sunset Boulevard’ of broken dreams|David Ehrenstein|August 20, 2020|Washington Blade

  • We at SE Ranking are thankful for every review and mention from our clients, as we strongly believe that review culture is a driving force that helps businesses grow and provide an outstanding user experience.

    How to turn your customer feedback into a driving force for your product|Maria Kazakova|June 18, 2020|Search Engine Watch

  • Underneath my chronic prickliness and assholishness I am always, always thankful.

    From Socially Isolated Nerd to Jeopardy! Bad Boy: A Thank You Note|Arthur Chu|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

  • And underneath my chronic prickliness and assholishness I am always, always thankful.

    From Socially Isolated Nerd to Jeopardy! Bad Boy: A Thank You Note|Arthur Chu|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

  • Thankful that I made it this far without fearing dying of a treatable illness because I had no insurance.

    From Socially Isolated Nerd to Jeopardy! Bad Boy: A Thank You Note|Arthur Chu|November 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

  • At first, family members are awestruck—amazed and thankful that their loved one is still with them.

    What It’s Like to Wake Up Dead|Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad|November 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

  • After my article ran, Peter was thankful, even though he was the one who was taking the real risks.

    ISIS Thugs Behead Peter Kassig|Nick Schwellenbach|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

  • I am thankful that prolonged mourning is out of date; it made a fright of me and was getting on my nerves.

    Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton

  • "There is a bridge up yonder, monsieur," returned the servant, thankful to have the conversation changed.

    St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

  • He thanked heaven she had left the neighborhood, and was equally thankful that he did not know where she had gone.

    The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

  • I told the poor fellow you were going to see his wife, and he was so thankful, that it did one's heart good.

    The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge

  • Well, I am thankful yet—mine is a marvellous happy lot, to be better than a dead trumpeter!

    The Battle of Hexham;|George Colman

British Dictionary definitions for thankful

thankful

/ (ˈθæŋkfʊl) /

adjective

grateful and appreciative

Derived forms of thankful

thankfulness, 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

Meaning, Definition, Suggestions . What is grateful

I took out my purse, put my hand in it, pulled out my money that I had earned myself, gave it to that man, and he was immensely grateful, just happy.

I am honored and very grateful.

But Jimmy was grateful for his calmness and unobtrusiveness.

But personally I would be very grateful

I am very grateful to my school.

I am grateful that my friends come and give gifts.

I am very grateful to my English teacher who got me interested in this subject.

I am very grateful to my school and all the staff.

Finn will be grateful to you until the end of his days for saving his base.

I would appreciate a timely update on the case.

I'll be grateful if you can spare me the burning witticisms.

I am very grateful that you decided to take the time to our project.

I am grateful to my government and the international community for this opportunity to build a better relationship.

I would appreciate it if you would address him as President rather than my husband.

I will always be grateful to her because she opened up so many wonderful opportunities for me.

Extremely grateful to plastic surgeon Dr. Herbert Willing, and to my psychiatrist, Dr. Bartholomew Wolper.

I'm just grateful that the Ghost Rider fulfilled his end of the bargain and returned to you.

Therefore, I am grateful to my wife for keeping the family from falling apart.

I'm grateful for the offer, but I have to go back to my sandbox, finish my service.

I am grateful that my wife needs help.

If you could lend me money, I would be grateful to you.

I am only grateful to those people who helped me survive.

Although Kai lived as an outcast at court, he was grateful to Mika and her father for their love and vowed to repay their kindness.

Mr. Chairman, I sincerely thank you for your kind words and good wishes addressed to me.

Many thanks for the beautiful young face.

If you can save us from being killed, I'll be grateful.

I'm grateful that they approached me with the project and that you pushed me.

I haven't taken anything for 3 years and 47 days, for which I am grateful.

I guess I should be thankful for small miracles.

I am grateful for motorcycles and the chance to bring back those we love.

I am very grateful to you for your kindness.

Thank you for being so open.

You did and he was very grateful.

Thank you for taking care of her.

He was grateful that I tried.

He would be grateful for specific information on average wages and cost of living since 1990.

I'm grateful that I'm a better striker than Austin Jenner on the football field, even if he's got my arm tied up.

If you allow us to stage a play today, our theater will be very grateful to you.

You gave me the confidence to accept it and I am so grateful to you.

I must say I'm impressed, Jasper, and deeply grateful.

Thank you so much, especially Agent Murphy for saving me from the explosion on this plane.

And I am grateful to the Sherpas on my team for teaching me this.

Thank you very much for your help.

I sincerely thank you for your advice.

No one in Russia, except for a few corrupt officials, is grateful to the West for this help.

I would appreciate any help or advice you can offer me.

I want to say that probably 99% of the comments were very good, and I'm grateful, but ...

And for that I'm very grateful.

I would be grateful if you let us know when the samples arrive.

I would appreciate it if you could return the proof copy to us.

The headmaster says he should be grateful to the current leadership because he doesn't remember the chaos of the 1990s.

I would be grateful if you would not be so flippant, Valentine.

I would be extremely grateful if you could reply to us as soon as possible.

I would be grateful if this petition were approved.

I am very grateful to you for what you have done for my family.

I guess I should have been grateful for what he said please.

I am very grateful for your advice.

The Soviet Union may have been doomed, but the world should be grateful to Gorbachev for the fact that the empire under his rule collapsed without a bloody confrontation.

Thank you very much for your help.

I know there are a lot of people here from both Facebook and Google - Larry and Sergey are the people who helped build the existing Web and I'm very grateful for that.

Thank you very much for your help.

I am very grateful to you for this opportunity.

I am grateful for the stomach reduction surgery.

Thank you very much, I am very grateful to you.

I would be grateful if you agreed to my plan.

I would be grateful if you could help me.

I'm grateful that the Love Story soundtrack hit number 39 on the US music chart.

I'm grateful that I'm a better striker than Austin Jenner on the football field, even if he's got my arm tied up.

As soon as we unload, let him scream until he's blue in the face, although I would be grateful if it wasn't.

However, I would be eternally grateful if you could advise me on the wise investment of my capital.

Other results

Gratitude - Psychologos

October 01, 2022, 21:24

Kozlov, Doctor of Psychology, Professor
Rector of the University of Practical Psychology

Gratitude is an expression of gratitude for what has been done or donated, a desire to thank in return. One of the most positive and pleasant emotions that arises in response to noble and kind actions towards a person.

Spanish-English film

Film "Avatar"

Gratitude strengthens any relationship, family relationships in the first place↑, Gratitude concerns not only relationships between people: grateful people are also grateful to life in general for the gifts it gives them.

As A. Maslow wrote, “I found that many people do not know how to appreciate the possibility of satisfying needs and desires, and sometimes with disdain for an already Satisfied need. Self-actualizing individuals are almost free from this delusion, which is the source of much human suffering. In other words, self-actualizing people know how to be "grateful." They always remember the blessings bestowed upon them by life. For them, a miracle is always a miracle, even if they encounter it again and again. It is this ability to be constantly aware of the luck that has been sent down to them, it is this gratitude to fate for the opportunity to enjoy the blessings of life that guarantees that life for them will never lose its value, attractiveness and novelty.

How to thank?

You can thank with words, it is important, necessary and pleasant, well, it is even better to thank with deed.

Pupils are usually grateful to their teacher, but what will their gratitude even in words be worth if they have not learned what they were taught? The best gratitude will be to live as taught and give thanks for it.

If a person has helped you with something, it is not enough to thank him in words - do something nice for him, respond with action, not just words.

Although the words of gratitude are also useful to remember. See Signs of gratitude

The meaning (function) of gratitude for others

Gratitude - first of all - is a sign of attention and respect. If you respect a person, if you are grateful to him, do not forget to thank him for this.

Gratitude is a positive reinforcement or reward for what has been done. One of the ways of positive reinforcement.

Gratitude is a great motivator. Gives positive motivation. When you are grateful, you really want to do something and a lot, for the sake of the very fact of gratitude. Even animals can be motivated with gratitude. And even more people!

Gratitude is an operative suggestion. “I am grateful to you for your care and responsiveness” is a suggestion of caring and responsiveness.

Meaning and functions of gratitude for a person

Gratitude is one of the most positive emotions. If you are grateful to a person, you want to do something nice for him in return. It is good if pleasant things are measured not only in words (although words are also important), but also in real deeds. Are you grateful to your parents? It's great, let it be not only words - support them in a difficult situation. Are you grateful to your teachers in life? Cool: live your life the way they taught and even better, and leave behind the same number of smart students.

Lack of gratitude

Lack of gratitude is a conflict generator, a manifestation of inattention.

Even if a person wanted to do something good, he tried and it didn't work out - thank you anyway! After all, he spent time, effort, desire - this is also worthy of gratitude.

Gratitude and criticism

In a situation where you can both reproach and thank for what you have done, wise educators usually rush to thank and do not rush to criticize. See Acknowledgments and Criticism

  • Thanks
  • Author N. I. Kozlov
  • Video

Comments (4):

Guest, November 27, 2019, 19:15

Why is it bad to distinguish between gratitude and gratitude? Curiosity/interest, dedication/heroism/sacrifice?

Guest, May 16, 2020, 3:58 pm

Gratitude helps fight negative thinking, because it is difficult for her to get along with envy, sadness and resentment. In addition, grateful people are less concerned about money. They value what they have and do not strive to get more at any cost.

Guest, May 16, 2020 3:59 PM

According to some researchers, “Regular expression of gratitude can affect the structure of neural connections in the brain, causing the brain to automatically tune in to positive.” Grateful people are happier. Therefore, it is important for us to appreciate all the good things that we have, to cherish every positive moment of our lives and do not skimp on gratitude! The Bible says, “In everything give thanks.” (1 Thessalonians chapter 5 verse 18)

Guest, May 24, 2020, 09:17 PM

Life experience shows that not everyone expresses gratitude for the good deeds shown to them. This is evident from one incident in the life of Jesus Christ. Once he identified ten people who asked for his help, but only one out of ten expressed his gratitude to him (Luke chapter 17:12-19), although for sure all ten people were grateful for the kindness shown to them. This case encourages not to forget to thank and say thank you.

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