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

For his part, Tartufoli was thankful to work with clients who believed in him and his vision while also bringing an elevated aesthetic to the project themselves. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Dec. 2025

And after drinking many cups of dairy eggnog, my stomach was thankful for the reprieve. —Eddie Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Freeze was thankful for his opportunity to coach the Tigers, suggesting his final record there was an aberration from the rest of his career. —Jordan Sigler, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

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