rightful

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl 

1

: just, equitable

2

a

: having a just or legally established claim : legitimate

the rightful owner

b

: held by right or just claim : legal

rightful authority

3

: proper, fitting

… assured of his rightful place in history …

—Brian Duff

rightfully

ˈrīt-fə-lē 

adverb

rightfulness noun

Synonyms of rightful

• deserved
• justified

Examples of rightful in a Sentence

The property should be returned to its rightful owner.

He will be given his rightful place in the history books.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fraud ultimately stripped Ana Knezevich of her rightful share of approximately $6 million in equity, according to the complaint. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026

The city released the list in hopes of finding the rightful owners. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 May 2026

Throughout the upcoming reality series, viewers will watch Shelton and his team tackle similar nail-biting situations each episode to return homes to their rightful owners. —Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026

The museum has engaged a team of provenance researchers to look into the history of the unclaimed artworks, with a view to ultimately being able to restore some of them to their rightful owners. —Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for rightful

• frightful
• spiteful
• delightful
• insightful

Kids Definition

rightful

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl 

1

: just entry 1 sense 2a

2

: having a just or legal claim : legitimate

the rightful owner

rightfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

rightfulness noun