You may have heard about the importance of showing gratitude, but what is the meaning of gratitude? Read on to find out.
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Kevin
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April 12, 2022
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You may have heard that gratitude is the secret to happiness, but what exactly does gratitude mean? This complete guide explores gratitude to teach you everything you need to know about the word, including its definition, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and more.
So if you’ve ever wondered what gratitude is or why it’s so important — keep reading.
What Is the Definition of Gratitude?
Gratitude means thanks and appreciation. In other words, it’s the state of feeling grateful — a conscious, positive emotion one can express when feeling especially thankful for something, whether intangible or tangible.
Despite what some people may think, gratitude implies much more than being polite; it’s a practice that requires acknowledging another individual’s gesture or act of kindness. It can also put focus on things that are going well in your life.
What Is the Origin of Gratitude?
After discovering the definition of gratitude, you may be interested in learning about its origin.
Gratitude derives from the Latin root gratus, which means pleasing, agreeable, or welcome. Latin gratus is also the root of a few other related terms: namely gratis, gratuity, and grace — all signifying positive actions, moods, and ideas.
Although it may appear coincidental, this is all because of Latin gratus’ Proto-Indo-European root, gwere, which means to celebrate, praise, or be in contact with the Divine.
Simply put, showing gratitude or being grateful is equivalent to feeling the presence of the Divine in our lives. It’s the same as being in a state of complete bliss and allows us to see benefit, virtue, and value in everyone and everything. Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation.
What Are Synonyms and Antonyms of Gratitude?
To strengthen your understanding of the word gratitude, you may find it helpful to open a thesaurus to discover its synonyms and antonyms.
Synonyms of Gratitude:
- Thanks
- Appreciation
- Recognition
- Acknowledgment
- Hat tip
- Regard
- Respect
- Credit
- Gratefulness
- Praise
- Indebted
- Pleased
- Thankfulness
- Honor
- Indebtedness
- Requital
Antonyms of gratitude:
- Ingratitude
- Ungratefulness
- Unthankfulness
- Thanklessness
- Disloyalty
- Censure
- Unappreciation
- Callousness
- Oblivion
- Indignation
- Rudeness
- Disregard
Examples of Sentences Using Gratitude
By now, you know that gratitude can be defined as the state of being grateful. Put your newfound knowledge to the test and see how many sentences you can come up with on your own properly using our word of the day.
If you need some help to get you going, feel free to check out our many example sentences listed below:
I’ve gained some weight because my hubby likes to express gratitude by cooking. I look great!
I would like to express my deep gratitude for your constant support as I completed medical school.
Positive psychology methods like practicing gratitude and mindfulness are the best if you ask me.
Before hitting the hay, I always spend a few minutes writing in my gratitude journal.
Showing gratitude is a simple way to boost your overall well-being.
Look, it’s time you drop the ‘tude and show a little gratitude, okay?
After fixing my truck, I owe you a debt of gratitude.
I experienced a strong feeling of gratitude after Tommy helped me download the apps required for math class.
Did you know gratitude in Spanish is el agradecimiento?
Why Is Showing Gratitude Important?
Before we wrap up this article, you may be wondering — why is showing gratitude so important, anyway? Well, believe it or not, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness.
According to research, gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, improve their health, relish good experiences, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
But that’s not all! Some scientific studies show gratitude improves self-esteem, mental strength, and sleep health. In other words, gratitude appears closely related to living a meaningful and happy life.
What Are Some Simple Ways Gratitude Can Be Expressed?
After reading those incredible benefits, we’re sure you’re just chomping at the bit to start expressing gratitude today. Although there are many things you can do to show your gratitude, some of the most simple ways include:
- Saying “Thank you“
- Acknowledging other people’s efforts
- Showing genuine interest
- Counting your blessings
- Keeping a positive mindset
- Maintaining good eye contact
- Celebrating others’ successes
- Letting go of grudges
- Giving compliments
- Accepting yourself
- Volunteering and giving back
Conclusion
Ggratitude can be defined as a feeling of thankful appreciation for favors or benefits received. In other words, it’s the state of being grateful.
Whether you’re thankful to the person who cooked for you, appreciate the loved one who supports your goals, or acknowledge your junior at work for taking the initiative when you were out sick, showing gratitude is a simple way of saying thanks.
In addition, several studies suggest gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness — so why not practice gratitude?
Some of the most common examples of gratitude include saying “thanks,” keeping a positive mindset, showing genuine interest, and counting your blessings.
We hope this guide has provided you with a clear understanding of gratitude. Check out our website if you’d like to find other interesting terms to help enhance your overall vocabulary.
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