rightful

1 of 2

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

rightfulness

2 of 2

noun

right·​ful·​ness

-fəlnə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being right : the justness or equity of something : accordance with right and justice

feeling the rightfulness of the world

—Willard Luce

Synonyms of rightful

Adjective

• deserved
• justified

Examples of rightful in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

There were even boos when the judges issued their (probably rightful) rating. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026

The rightful owners of two still-missing paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, stolen on Tuesday from a museum in southern France, are unknown, Le Monde confirmed. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 10 Sep. 2026

From the truth behind Thor’s hammer and the goddess Amaterasu to Princess Badoure from One Thousand and One Nights, the show restores these legends to their rightful place in our collective memory. — Kevin Giraud, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

How to Determine Responsibility for a Damaged Fence Sometimes, the boundary line can be a bit blurry for fences, especially if both neighbors aren’t certain who the rightful owner is. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rihtfulnes, rightfulnes, from rihtful, rightful + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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