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 Knicks have one of their toughest stretches of the season rolling right into the holidays, but there’s one thing — aside from a championship, of course — the team can be thankful for. — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2026

But for now, the family is living inside their bait shop next door, brokenhearted but thankful to be alive. — Christopher Derose, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

The thankful and polite, yet rowdy Post Malone was preceded onstage Wednesday by first opening artist Carter Faith and part-coheadliner, part-opener Jelly Roll . — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

Each came away thankful for the experience, especially first-timers Baldwin and Iglesias. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 15 July 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