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Definition of grateful

grateful

/ˈɡreɪt.fəl/
grate · ful
Adverb:gratefully
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grateful Lexical Profile

grateful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.

Example

"She was deeply grateful to her mentors for their unwavering support throughout her graduate studies."

2

Pleasing to the mind or senses; agreeable, welcome, or refreshing (now chiefly literary or archaic).

Example

"The weary travelers rested beneath the grateful shade of the ancient oak trees."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for grateful
Antonyms
View all antonyms for grateful

Word Nuance & Usage

Because of its pronunciation, 'grateful' is frequently misspelled as 'greatful' due to confusion with the word 'great', though it actually derives from the Latin root 'gratus' (pleasing or thankful).

• Rhymes for grateful

• Nearby Words

grasswren
grassy
grate
grateful
gratefully
gratefulness
grater

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the mid-16th century from the obsolete adjective 'grate' (meaning pleasing or agreeable, from Latin 'gratus') combined with the native English suffix '-ful'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Grateful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/grateful
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