gratitude

noun

grat·​i·​tude ˈgra-tə-ˌtüd How to pronounce gratitude (audio)
-ˌtyüd
: the state of being grateful : thankfulness
expressed gratitude for their support

Examples of gratitude in a Sentence

Let me express my sincere gratitude for all your help. We remember with gratitude those who died defending our country.
Recent Examples on the Web Zelenskyy on how Russian invasion may end, gratitude for US aid and Putin's weakness Ukraine funding is a key point of intraparty strife as Congress barrels toward a Sept. 30 deadline to pass a spending measure or enter a government shutdown. Rachel Scott, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2023 But locking up carjackers won’t get you headlines in Politico or the gratitude of your party’s activist and donor class. The Editors, National Review, 19 Sep. 2023 Apple’s new Journal app, which aims to help users reflect and practice gratitude through the daily practice of journaling, will also be available in a software update later this year. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 18 Sep. 2023 Shakira finished the heartfelt speech by showing her gratitude to her fans. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2023 Cho expressed her gratitude to the designers for gracing the event with their presence, acknowledging their courage. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023 This comic is a slice of gratitude to my loved ones, working-class people and the gente that make L.A. home. Karina Ramirez, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 There are also carvings brought as requests for healing or deposited as tokens of gratitude: a little sculpture of an ear brought by someone with hearing loss, a large marble relief of a leg brought by someone with trouble walking. Teju Cole, New York Times, 12 Sep. 2023 The real bottom line is, there’s no appropriate reaction to life beyond gratitude. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gratitudo, from Latin gratus grateful

First Known Use

1523, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gratitude was in 1523

Dictionary Entries Near gratitude

Cite this Entry

“Gratitude.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gratitude. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

gratitude

noun
grat·​i·​tude ˈgrat-ə-ˌt(y)üd How to pronounce gratitude (audio)
: the state of being grateful
Etymology

Middle English gratitude "gratitude," derived from Latin gratitudo (same meaning), from gratus "thankful" — related to congratulate, grace

More from Merriam-Webster on gratitude

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