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

Kimmel and Damon then bicker over who has a rightful paternal claim to the child, culminating in a pitch-perfect spoof of Maury featuring Short as Povich. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Aug. 2026

Meanwhile, a California court in May determined Ahmed and Gilkar to be the baby’s rightful parents, court records show. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

Investigators determined that multiple RVs may have been sold at Carson Pass RV in Lockeford without proper notification to their rightful owners and without completing the required Department of Motor Vehicles documentation. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Yet many others, including the nonprofit that runs the livestream, believe her rightful place is in tribal hands. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 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