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

Charity and neighborliness helped a lot — many victims are still thankful to churches and neighbors that volunteered their labor, according to Whitney Bailey, a disaster response project director at AppalReD Legal Aid. — Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Nelson will continue to serve as the organization’s president and CEO, and is thankful for the support of his board. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Despite those challenges, the 29-year-old remains thankful for his time there. — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

So thankful to have this amazing cast and team with me on this wild journey. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 11 Sep. 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