grateful Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective feeling or showing gratitude
    thankful.
    • a grateful heart
    • grateful for the tree's shade
    • a thankful smile
  2. adjective satellite affording comfort or pleasure
    • the grateful warmth of the fire

WordNet

Grate"ful adjective
Etymology
Grate, a. + full; cf. F. gré thanks, good will, fr. L. gratum, neut. of gratus agreeable, grateful. See Grate, a.
Definitions
  1. Having a due sense of benefits received; kindly disposed toward one from whom a favor has been received; willing to acknowledge and repay, or give thanks for, benefits; as, a grateful heart.
    A grateful mind By owing, owes not, but still pays. Milton.
  2. Affording pleasure; pleasing to the senses; gratifying; delicious; as, a grateful present; food grateful to the palate; grateful sleep.
    Now golden fruits on loaded branches shine, And grateful clusters swell. Pope.
    Syn. -- Thankful; pleasing; acceptable; gratifying; agreeable; welcome; delightful; delicious. -- Grate"ful*ly, adv. -- Grate"ful*ness, n.

Webster 1913