thankfulness
/ˈθæŋk.fəl.nəs/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈæŋkfəlnɛs] /ˈθæŋk.fəl.nəs/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈæŋkfəlnɛs] /ˈthaŋk-fəl How to pronounce thankful (audio)/ (ame, mw)
thankfulness — noun
1. the warm feeling you have when you recognise that something good has happened to
the warm feeling you have when you recognise that something good has happened to you, often because of another person's kindness or generosity
Jisoo felt a deep sense of thankfulness when her neighbours brought meals during her illness.
collocation: deep sense of thankfulness
The charity received letters of thankfulness from families who had been helped through the winter.
Kwame's thankfulness was obvious when he spoke about the teachers who had believed in him.
Ayesha closed her eyes in quiet thankfulness before the meal began.
The team expressed their thankfulness to the volunteers who had worked through the night.
- gratitude
more common and direct synonym; 'gratitude' is slightly more formal but used in the same contexts
- appreciation
focuses on recognising the value of what someone has done, often used in professional or formal settings
- ingratitude
the lack of gratitude or thankfulness; considered a negative quality
用法筆記
Often used with possessives (her thankfulness, their thankfulness) to connect the feeling to a specific person. Frequently paired with adjectives like deep, quiet, sincere, or profound.
常見錯誤
thankfulness — adjective
- thankfulnesspositive
- more thankfulnesscomparative
- most thankfulnesssuperlative
1. feeling happy and grateful because something good has happened to you or because
feeling happy and grateful because something good has happened to you or because someone has been kind to you
Piotr was thankful for the warm coat his aunt had given him before winter arrived.
grammar: thankful for [something]
The Huang family was thankful that the storm had missed their village.
grammar: thankful + that-clause
After the long hike, Mateo felt thankful for a cold drink and a place to rest.
Dr. Lin said she was thankful to work alongside capable nurses in the emergency room.
Asher was simply thankful that no one had been hurt in the accident.
- grateful
the closest synonym; 'grateful' is slightly more common in everyday speech
- appreciative
emphasises recognising the value of help or kindness; slightly more formal
- ungrateful
not showing or feeling gratitude
文法句型
thankful for [something]
thankful (that) + clause
thankful to [do something]
用法筆記
Subject is always a person or group of people. 'Thankful' is stative — it describes a feeling state, not an action. Distinguish from sense 3 (RELIEVED AND GLAD): this sense focuses on gratitude for a positive thing, not relief that a negative thing was avoided.
常見錯誤
2. showing or communicating a feeling of gratitude through words, gestures, or acti
showing or communicating a feeling of gratitude through words, gestures, or actions
Tamar wrote a thankful note to the librarian who had located the rare manuscript.
attributive: thankful + noun (note)
The audience gave a thankful round of applause after the moving performance.
attributive: thankful + noun (round of applause)
His thankful expression told the rescuers everything they needed to know.
The refugees sent a thankful message to the country that had welcomed them.
- grateful
can also be used attributively but less common than 'thankful' in this pattern ('grateful words' vs 'thankful words')
- appreciative
often describes looks, smiles, or comments that show recognition of value
文法句型
thankful + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used attributively — before a noun (thankful smile, thankful words, thankful prayer). It describes the outward show of gratitude, not the inner feeling (which is sense 1).
常見錯誤
3. happy and relieved because something unpleasant did not happen or because a worr
happy and relieved because something unpleasant did not happen or because a worrying situation turned out well
Hoa was thankful that her lost passport had been handed in at the hotel desk.
grammar: thankful + that-clause (relief context)
Iker was thankful to learn that his grandmother's operation had gone smoothly.
grammar: thankful to + infinitive
The hikers were thankful when they finally spotted the lights of a small village ahead.
Gabriel was thankful that the interview had gone much better than he had expected.
- worried
the opposite feeling — anxious about a possible negative outcome
文法句型
thankful (that) + clause
thankful to [do something]
thankful when + clause
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (FEELING GRATEFUL): sense 3 emphasises relief that a feared outcome did not happen, whereas sense 1 emphasises gratitude for a positive benefit received. The same sentence can carry both meanings depending on context.