rightful
adjective /ˈraɪtfl/
/ˈraɪtfl/
[only before noun] (formal)- that is correct, right or legal synonym proper
- The stolen car was returned to its rightful owner.
- Every book and ornament was in its rightful place.
Oxford Collocations DictionaryRightful is used with these nouns:- heir
- inheritance
- king
- …
Word OriginOld English rihtful ‘upright, righteous’ (see right, -ful). The notion of “legitimacy” dates from Middle English.