thankful

adjective

thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl How to pronounce thankful (audio)
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

Examples of thankful in a Sentence

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 The two babies have met up a couple of times since the surgery, along with their thankful parents, of course — and the Civils say the bond between themselves and the Skaats is one that will never be broken. Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 My family personally and my business professionally were forced into bankruptcy and are thankful to be on the other side of it. Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2024 Despite that, Zimmerman is thankful to have been involved in so many different projects over the years. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 Easter is the time to rejoice and be thankful for the gift of life, love, and joy. Jorie Nicole McDonald, Southern Living, 7 Feb. 2024 Ariana DeBose is thankful for Jamie Lee Curtis' consistent support. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2024 Lopez and Caspi should be thankful for the dollar stores that, while carrying less nutritious choices, offer lower costs and help people to stave off hunger. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Jan. 2024 Very thankful to play in a league with a commissioner like Adam who’s more about helping you than hurting you; helping you than punishing you. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2024 Matthew Macfadyen has many people in his life to be thankful for. Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'thankful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near thankful

Cite this Entry

“Thankful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thankful. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

thankful

adjective
thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl How to pronounce thankful (audio)
: feeling or showing thanks
thankfully
-fə-lē
adverb
thankfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on thankful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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