rightful

[ rahyt-fuhl ]
See synonyms for: rightfulrightfullyrightfulness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. having a valid or just claim, as to some property or position; legitimate: the rightful owner of the farm.

  2. belonging or held by a valid or just claim: one's rightful property.

  1. equitable or just, as actions or a cause.

Origin of rightful

1
First recorded before 1150; Middle English; late Old English rihtful; see right (noun), -ful

Other words from rightful

  • right·ful·ly, adverb
  • right·ful·ness, noun
  • un·right·ful, adjective
  • un·right·ful·ly, adverb
  • un·right·ful·ness, noun

Words that may be confused with rightful

Words Nearby rightful

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use rightful in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rightful

rightful

/ (ˈraɪtfʊl) /


adjective
  1. in accordance with what is right; proper or just

  2. (prenominal) having a legally or morally just claim: the rightful owner

  1. (prenominal) held by virtue of a legal or just claim: my rightful property

Derived forms of rightful

  • rightfully, adverb
  • rightfulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012