rightful

Rightful is an English adjective that describes something morally or legally justified, belonging to one by right, or proper to a particular person or thing. It is commonly used with nouns such as owner, heir, claim, or position, as in the rightful owner or the rightful heir. It can imply an entitlement recognized by law, custom, or ethical norms, and it can also be used more broadly to denote something that is proper or due.

The word derives from right, with the suffix -ful, tracing back to Old English riht and related forms in Middle English. Historically, it has been used to express legitimacy or propriety, bridging legal entitlement and moral justification. In modern usage, rightful often contrasts with merely legal or expedient, highlighting alignment with what is morally due or formally recognized.

In law and property, rightful ownership is the legally recognized entitlement to possess property, while a rightful heir is someone entitled to inheritance. In ethics and political discourse, terms like rightful authority or rightful governance denote legitimacy grounded in principles of justice, consent, or historical entitlement. There are contexts where disputes arise over what is rightful, requiring evidence, such as documents establishing ownership or succession.

Related terms include legitimate, lawful, due, and entitled. Philosophical discussions may examine the criteria for rightful claims, including moral rights, social contracts, or statutory rights.