rightful

1 of 2

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl 

1

: just, equitable

2

a

: having a just or legally established claim : legitimate

the rightful owner

b

: held by right or just claim : legal

rightful authority

3

: proper, fitting

… assured of his rightful place in history …

—Brian Duff

rightfully

ˈrīt-fə-lē 

adverb

rightfulness noun

rightfulness

2 of 2

noun

right·​ful·​ness

-fəlnə̇s

plural -es

: the quality or state of being right : the justness or equity of something : accordance with right and justice

feeling the rightfulness of the world

—Willard Luce

Synonyms of rightful

Adjective

• deserved
• justified

Examples of rightful in a Sentence

Adjective

The property should be returned to its rightful owner.

He will be given his rightful place in the history books.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Some 30 years after Sporty Spice returned the tracksuit to its rightful place in pop culture’s top shelf, the British pop superstar is parting ways with three memorable pieces that will be racked in Australian Red Cross Shops. — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void? — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

Every piece of mail, document, invitation, receipt, and other paper stops here before eventually getting sorted into its rightful place. — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2026

Big Tex, the iconic mascot of the State Fair of Texas, returned to his rightful place in Fair Park this Friday ahead of the fair's opening day next week. — Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rihtfulnes, rightfulnes, from rihtful, rightful + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Rhymes for rightful

• frightful
• spiteful
• delightful
• insightful

Kids Definition

rightful

adjective

right·​ful ˈrīt-fəl 

1

: just entry 1 sense 2a

2

: having a just or legal claim : legitimate

the rightful owner

rightfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

rightfulness noun