Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rightful

/ˈɹaɪtfəl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.38 in modern English

Syllables: right-ful
IPA: /ˈɹaɪtfəl/

15

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

By right; by law.

Example Sentences

"rightful owner"
"rightful heir"
"Who shall pull this sword from the stone is rightful king of England.ᵂ"
"She claimed her rightful inheritance."
"He was restored to his rightful position."
"Among other things, the ECA requires that if Congress receives two electoral slates, it should count the slate carrying the state's executive's signature as the rightful slate."

Etymology

From Middle English rightful, ryghtfull, riȝtful, from Old English *rihtfull (suggested by derivative unrihtfull (“unrightful”)), equivalent to right + -ful.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₃reǵ-, rightful, *rihtfull
Suffix: right

Derived Forms

rightfully rightfulness

Phrases

-ful

Frequently Paired Words

right -ful

Synonyms

legitimate true de jure legal acceptable allowable legit leveful licit permissible rightful rulable

Antonyms

unrightful wrongful

Rhymes With

delightful spiteful frightful

Questions

How do you pronounce rightful?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹaɪtfəl/.
What does rightful mean?: By right; by law.
Where does rightful come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce rightful

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “rightful”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɹaɪtfəl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “rightful”.
Repeat and practice — Say “rightful” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.