Grateful

Definition

Grateful is an adjective used to describe a feeling of appreciation or thankfulness for kindness, benefits, or gifts received. It often reflects an emotional acknowledgment of goodwill or generosity.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɡreɪtfəl/
• Respelling: GRAYT-fuhl

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈɡreɪtfʊl/
• Respelling: GRAYT-fuhl

Etymology

The word "grateful" originates from the Latin "gratus," meaning "pleasing" or "thankful." It was adopted into Middle English as "gratefull," which combined "gratus" with the suffix "-ful" to convey the quality of being thankful or appreciative.

Derivatives

• Gratefully (adverb)
• Gratefulness (noun)
• Ungrateful (adjective)
• Gratitude (noun)
• Gratingly (adverb, rare)

Synonyms

• Thankful
• Appreciative
• Obliged

Antonyms

• Ungrateful
• Thankless
• Indifferent

Usage

The adjective "grateful" is commonly used to express feelings of appreciation, as in "I am grateful for your help." It can also convey a broader sense of thankfulness for life’s circumstances, such as "She felt grateful for the beautiful day."

Related Terms

• Gratitude: The quality of being thankful and showing appreciation.
• Appreciation: Recognition of the value or importance of something.
• Obligation: A feeling of being indebted or required to show gratitude.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Feeling or showing appreciation and thankfulness: Refers to being emotionally or verbally expressive of gratitude.
  • Example: "She was grateful for the unexpected kindness."
• Pleasant or agreeable: An older or less common usage to describe something pleasing to the senses.
  • Example: "The garden provided a grateful shade from the sun."