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

This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void? — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

On Sunday night, the Queen of Pop returned to her rightful stage to open the 2026 VMAs with songs from her Confessions II album and to collect a total seven awards — and Billboard was in the building. — Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 29 Sep. 2026

Every piece of mail, document, invitation, receipt, and other paper stops here before eventually getting sorted into its rightful place. — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2026

Big Tex, the iconic mascot of the State Fair of Texas, returned to his rightful place in Fair Park this Friday ahead of the fair's opening day next week. — Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 18 Sep. 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