Basic Details
Word: Gratefully
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a way that shows you are thankful.
Synonyms: thankfully, appreciatively
Antonyms: ungratefully, thanklessly
How to Spell Gratefully
Syllables: grate - ful - ly
Tricky part: It starts with grate, not great, and -ful has only one l before ly is added. Greatfully and gratefuly are common mistakes.
Watch out for: greatfully, gratefuly, gratfully
Memory tip: Picture grated coconut on your plate and feel grateful for it: grate + ful + ly, with one l from ful and one from ly.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Priya gratefully accepted her neighbour's offer of a lift to the exam centre.
Example 2: The tired hikers gratefully drank the cold lassi.
Example 3: We gratefully remember our teachers on Teachers' Day.
Fun Fact
Grateful, gratitude and congratulate all come from the Latin gratus, meaning pleasing or thankful. None of them is related to great.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
The villagers greatfully accepted the water tanker sent by the district office during the long summer drought, and lined up with buckets at dawn.
a) greatfully
b) drought
c) villagers
d) district
Show answer
a) greatfully. Being thankful has nothing to do with being great; the word starts with grate.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of 'gratefully' as it is used in the sentence:
After the long walk, the old man gratefully sat down on the bench we offered him.
a) quietly
b) reluctantly
c) thankfully
d) angrily
Show answer
c) thankfully. Doing something gratefully means doing it with thanks.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. definately 2. sincerly 3. gratefully 4. accidentaly
a) by chance, without meaning to
b) in a thankful way
c) honestly, meaning what you say
d) without any doubt
Show answer
b) in a thankful way. Sincerely keeps the e of sincere, accidentally needs a double l, and definitely has finite inside it.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Ravi took the umbrella gratefully. This shows he felt ____.
a) annoyed
b) thankful
c) careless
d) puzzled
Show answer
b) thankful
2. You would act gratefully when someone ____.
a) breaks your new pen
b) helps you carry heavy bags
c) laughs at your mistake
d) takes your seat on the bus
Show answer
b) helps you carry heavy bags
