thankful

adjective

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 of thankful

• glad
• pleased
• delighted
• happy
• satisfied

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

Dante Sealy put a dangerous corner into the box, then SKC keeper John Pulskamp unconvincingly parried it off the crossbar and down to a thankful Frederick, who cleaned up for an easy one. —Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026

As the community slowly returns to normal, everyone here is thankful that nobody was hurt. —Joe Brandt, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

Like Scheepers, Musu is thankful her boss has been supportive and understanding of her circumstances. —Blane Bachelor, CNN Money, 14 Mar. 2026

Snell, for his part, is thankful to be throwing again without shoulder pain. —Jack Vita, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing thankful

• grateful/thankful for small mercies

Kids Definition

thankful

adjective

thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl 

: feeling or showing thanks

thankfully

-fə-lē

adverb

thankfulness noun