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

The committee might be thankful its initial release came moments before the flipping of the House and Senate captured Tuesday night’s headlines as UCLA was far from the only program with complaints. — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 5 Nov. 2026

Stiller is thankful for the online support that her dad, Ben, has showed for the series. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2026

But my objection is drowned out by my Lucid Dream Doula, snapping at me to be thankful for the networking opportunity. — Julie Klausner, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

The cousin was thankful, but the Rev got the message that the family didn’t need financial help. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026

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