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

• 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

Let data prove what a shipment is so producers gain predictable offtake, governments capture rightful revenues, investors finance local processing with confidence, and communities see safer, more professional work. —Anu Adedoyin Adasolum, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2025

But Wimbledon fans formed a new club who are now back playing at their spiritual home at Plough Lane, and barring Chelsea, the others have — remarkably, in such a congested city — all found land to build new grounds within the boundaries of their rightful patch. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

To create another parallel corridor where the world and everything in it are in their rightful places. —Literary Hub, 2 Oct. 2025

Earlier this month, a video from a Philadelphia Phillies game went viral after two fans appeared to dispute who the rightful catcher of a home run ball was. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 28 Sep. 2025

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