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

• blissful
• chuffed [British]
• delighted
• glad
• gratified
• happy
• joyful
• joyous
• pleased
• satisfied
• tickled

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

Knowing there was a chance his high school career could end with him at home sick, Geary was thankful his teammates came through and gave him another chance to play. —Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

Voight pushed back on critics, arguing local leaders should be thankful for the president’s decision to deploy the National Guard. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 June 2025

When asked if he had been betrayed, Spalletti paused and read out the names of the FIGC executive team in a thankful tone. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 June 2025

Biles, in a 2017 post, appeared to be thankful that men don’t compete in women’s gymnastics. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 8 June 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