thankful

adjective

thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl 

1

: conscious of benefit received

for what we are about to receive make us truly thankful

2

: expressive of thanks

thankful service

3

: well pleased : glad

was thankful that it didn't rain

thankfulness noun

Synonyms of thankful

• glad
• pleased
• delighted
• happy
• satisfied

Examples of thankful in a Sentence

Everyone was thankful to hear the good news.

we were thankful that someone else was footing the bill for the lavish wedding banquet

Recent Examples on the Web

Minnesota was thankful for you! —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025

Washington Commanders fans have reasons to be thankful as key offensive players Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown were listed as full participants during Thursday's practice. —Jenn McGraw, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

And the day after Thanksgiving, the Warriors were still thankful that their superstar does not appear set to miss extended time. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2025

This Thanksgiving season Honk is thankful for his readers, who are the smartest, prettiest, handsomest, funniest, most creative and happiest people, and the sharpest dressers, too. —Jim Radcliffe, Oc Register, 28 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thankful

• grateful/thankful for small mercies

Kids Definition

thankful

adjective

thank·​ful ˈthaŋk-fəl 

: feeling or showing thanks

thankfully

-fə-lē

adverb

thankfulness noun