Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rightfully

/ˈɹaɪtfəli/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.24 in modern English

Syllables: right-ful-ly
IPA: /ˈɹaɪtfəli/

20

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

In accordance with what is right or just.

adv

Rightly, correctly.

Example Sentences

"Near-synonym: fairly"
"[T]he only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant."
"Ne euer will it [King Arthur's sword] breake, ne euer bend. / Wherefore Morddure it rightfully is hight."

Etymology

From Middle English ryghtefully, equivalent to rightful + -ly.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: ryghtefully

Inflected Forms

more rightfully (comparative) most rightfully (superlative)

Phrases

damn right rightly so serve someone right

Frequently Paired Words

arightly damn right righteously rightly rightly so serve someone right

Synonyms

justly fairly accurately truly

Antonyms

unrightfully wrongfully wrongly inaccurately incorrectly falsely

Rhymes With

delightfully frightfully

Questions

How do you pronounce rightfully?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹaɪtfəli/.
What does rightfully mean?: In accordance with what is right or just.
Where does rightfully come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce rightfully

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