If you say that someone or something has returned to its rightful place or position, they have returned to the place or position that you think they should have.
This certainly helped Spain take its rightful place in Europe.
He had been denied what he believed to be his rightful position at the center ofthings.
The car must be returned to its rightful owner.
Synonyms: lawful, just, real, true More Synonyms of rightful
rightfullyadverb
Jealousy is the feeling that someone else has something that rightfully belongs toyou.
She's inherited the money which is rightfully hers.
Killing a police officer is something that's taken very seriously and rightfullyso.
rightful in British English
(ˈraɪtfʊl)
adjective
1.
in accordance with what is right; proper or just
2. (prenominal)
having a legally or morally just claim
the rightful owner
3. (prenominal)
held by virtue of a legal or just claim
my rightful property
Derived forms
rightfully (ˈrightfully)
adverb
rightfulness (ˈrightfulness)
noun
rightful in American English
(ˈraɪtfəl)
adjective
1.
fair and just; right
2.
having a just, lawful claim, or right
the rightful owner
3.
belonging or owned by just or lawful claim, or by right
a rightful rank
4.
proper or fitting
Derived forms
rightfully (ˈrightfully)
adverb
rightfulness (ˈrightfulness)
noun
Examples of 'rightful' in a sentence
rightful
A letter written by a dying mother to her young daughter has been returned to its rightful owner after being lost for 15 years.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We cannot stem the trade but we can certainly return items to their rightful owner.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They are at odds over what each sees as her rightful place in your life.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
After a few days the vehicle was returned to its rightful owners.
Stewart, Bob (Lt-Col) Broken Lives (1993)
Returning us to our rightful place will be the symbol of our success.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Let us now finally grace the feminine and give her her rightful place.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Can it be that grammar is heading in the direction of seizing its rightful place?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
This is the police auction website for lost or stolen items when the rightful owner cannot be found.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I just want to get it back to its rightful owner.
The Sun (2014)
Suppose a rightful heir to it should at any time appear, would you then resign the property to him?
Frederick Marryat The Children of the New Forest (1847)
Surely any plant that can lift our souls for a fleeting moment or two at this time of year earns a rightful place in our garden?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Froome is the rightful owner.
The Sun (2016)
After the war thousands of complaints were made, alleging that it was failing in its task to track down rightful heirs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
MILLIONS of people fail to claim their rightful tax credits and benefits because they are put off by the complexity of the system.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I'm far keener to have him in his rightful position in midfield.
The Sun (2013)
So I sent the package straight back to its rightful owner and all is well.
The Sun (2010)
Let us keep blood, basically, in its rightful place.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He said: 'I wanted to return the watch to its rightful owner.
The Sun (2009)
And, with the identity of the rightful owner disputed, it is again in the line of fire.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
When she takes a trip to Mandalay, he asks her to return a mysterious artefact to its rightful owner.
The Sun (2014)
I am confident that under his new leadership, the group will take up its rightful position as the best grocer in town.
The Sun (2006)
The Belgrade museum is now closed amid Serb fears that its masterpieces may have to be returned to their rightful owners.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
rightful
British English: rightful ADJECTIVE
If you say that someone or something has returned to its rightful place or position, they have returned to the place or position that you think they should have.
We have restored him to his rightful place as editor.
American English: rightful
Brazilian Portuguese: legítimo
Chinese: 理应享有的
European Spanish: legítimo
French: légitime
German: rechtmäßig
Italian: legittimo
Japanese: 適した
Korean: 정당한
European Portuguese: legítimo
Latin American Spanish: legítimo
Chinese translation of 'rightful'
rightful
(ˈraɪtful)
adj
[heir, owner, place, share]合法的 (héfǎ de)
(adjective)
Definition
held by virtue of a legal or just claim
The car must be returned to its rightful owner.
Synonyms
lawful
lawful for the doctors to treat her in whatever way they considered best
just
This cup final is a just reward for all the efforts they have put in.
real
his first real job
true
He was found to be the true owner of the suitcase.
due
Treat them with due attention.
legal
What I did was perfectly legal.
suitable
Was it really suitable behaviour for someone who wants to be taken seriously?
proper
Two out of five people do not have a proper job.
valid
For foreign holidays you will need a valid passport.
legitimate
They have demanded the restoration of the legitimate government.
authorized
bona fide
We are happy to donate to bona fide charitable causes.
de jure
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bona fide
Definition
undertaken in good faith
We are happy to donate to bona fide charitable causes.
Synonyms
genuine,
real,
true,
legal,
actual,
legitimate,
authentic,
honest,
veritable,
lawful,
on the level (informal),
kosher (informal),
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
the real McCoy
in the sense of due
Definition
fitting or proper
Treat them with due attention.
Synonyms
fitting,
deserved,
appropriate,
just,
right,
becoming,
fit,
justified,
suitable,
merited,
proper,
obligatory,
rightful,
requisite,
well-earned,
bounden
in the sense of just
This cup final is a just reward for all the efforts they have put in.
Synonyms
fitting,
due,
correct,
deserved,
appropriate,
justified,
reasonable,
suitable,
decent,
sensible,
merited,
proper,
legitimate,
desirable,
apt,
rightful,
well-deserved,
condign
Synonyms of 'rightful'
rightful
Explore 'rightful' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of legal
Definition
established by or permitted by law
What I did was perfectly legal.
Synonyms
lawful,
allowed,
sanctioned,
constitutional,
proper,
valid,
legitimate,
authorized,
rightful,
permissible,
legalized,
allowable,
within the law,
licit
in the sense of legitimate
Definition
authorized by or in accordance with law
They have demanded the restoration of the legitimate government.
Synonyms
lawful,
real,
true,
legal,
acknowledged,
sanctioned,
genuine,
proper,
authentic,
statutory,
authorized,
rightful,
kosher (informal),
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal),
legit (slang),
licit
in the sense of proper
Definition
real or genuine
Two out of five people do not have a proper job.
Synonyms
real,
actual,
genuine,
true,
bona fide,
kosher (informal),
dinkum (Australian, New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of real
Definition
rightly so called
his first real job
Synonyms
proper,
true,
valid,
legitimate
in the sense of suitable
Definition
appropriate for a particular function or occasion
Was it really suitable behaviour for someone who wants to be taken seriously?
Synonyms
seemly,
fitting,
becoming,
due,
proper,
correct
in the sense of true
Definition
real or genuine
He was found to be the true owner of the suitcase.
Synonyms
rightful,
legal,
recognized,
valid,
legitimate,
authorized,
lawful,
bona fide,
de jure
in the sense of valid
Definition
legally acceptable
For foreign holidays you will need a valid passport.