grateful
UK: ˈɡreɪt.fəl | US: ˈɡreɪt.fəl
adj. feeling or showing thanks for kindness or benefits received
adj. pleasing or comforting (archaic)
The word "grateful" originates from the obsolete adjective "grate," meaning "pleasing" or "thankful," derived from Latin "gratus" (meaning "pleasing, thankful"). The suffix "-ful" (from Old English "-full") means "full of." Over time, "grate" fell out of use, but its meaning persisted in "grateful," which evolved to specifically denote thankfulness. The shift reflects the word’s journey from a general sense of pleasure to a focused expression of appreciation.
She was deeply grateful for their support during her illness.
He sent a grateful letter to his mentor for the guidance.
The team felt grateful after the community’s generous donation.
A grateful smile crossed her face when she saw the surprise.
They were grateful to find shelter before the storm hit.