Is grateful more formal than thankful?

Yes, often a little. Grateful is common in polite writing, speeches, and emails.

What is the difference between grateful and thankful?

Both mean you feel thanks. Grateful often sounds slightly warmer and more careful.

How do I use grateful in a sentence?

Use it with for, to, or that: “I’m grateful for your support.”

Is grateful used in business writing?

Yes. It is common in polite business emails and professional messages.

← Dictionary

grateful

/ˈɡreɪt.fəl/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Feeling happy and thankful because someone helped you or gave you something good. It can also mean knowing that something is useful or valuable.

I am grateful for your help.
We are grateful to be safe.
She was grateful for the advice.

Adinary Nuance

Grateful is more personal and feeling-based than thankful. You often use grateful when you want to show deep appreciation, especially in written or polite speech. Thankful is very close, but grateful can sound a little warmer and more formal.

In other languages

Vietnamese: biết ơn
Spanish: agradecido
Chinese: 感激的
Japanese: 感謝している
Korean: 감사한

Etymology

Grateful comes from Latin gratus, meaning “pleasing” or “thankful.” It entered English in the 1500s through earlier forms related to thanks and favor.

Common phrases

grateful forgrateful to someonegrateful for the opportunitygrateful and thankful

Synonyms

thankful appreciative obliged

Frequently asked questions

Is grateful more formal than thankful?: Yes, often a little. Grateful is common in polite writing, speeches, and emails.
What is the difference between grateful and thankful?: Both mean you feel thanks. Grateful often sounds slightly warmer and more careful.
How do I use grateful in a sentence?: Use it with for, to, or that: “I’m grateful for your support.”
Is grateful used in business writing?: Yes. It is common in polite business emails and professional messages.