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

President Biden famously installed a plan to raise the IRS’s rightful take by hiring 87,000 new agents. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 31 Jan. 2026

With this month's announcement that latest Hotel Emma executive chef Geronimo Lopez would depart for a new job with the San Antonio Food Bank, Brand was tapped to reclaim his rightful throne. —Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Jan. 2026

Heterosexual men are the rightful defenders of The Homeland. —Ta-Nehisi Coates, Vanity Fair, 26 Jan. 2026

After Alicent’s misunderstanding — which leads to Aegon II claiming the throne — Rhaenyra prepares for war and gathers allies to fight for her rightful claim to the throne. —Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 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