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

There has been plenty of rightful crowing about the quagmire that is college athletics, most of it directly traceable to the money – the death of senior night, overrecruiting, tampering, transferring and what can only be described as a nearly uncrossable chasm between the haves and have nots. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026

Neighbors and volunteers have stepped forward to help remove the tires and restore the cemetery to its rightful state. —Nakell Williams, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026

The MacBook Air’s M-series chip kept the Neo’s A18 Pro in its rightful place throughout, of course. —Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 10 Mar. 2026

Just in time for Women’s History Month, Meena Harris’ latest book for young readers, Maya’s Big Question, is encouraging kids to think critically about women’s rightful place in history. —Maressa Brown, Parents, 8 Mar. 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