/ ˈraɪtfl; NAmE / adjective
[ only before noun ] ( formal ) that is correct, right or legal
SYN proper :
The stolen car was returned to its rightful owner .
► right·ful·ly / -fəli; NAmE / adverb :
She was only claiming what was rightfully hers.
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WORD ORIGIN
Old English rihtful upright, righteous (see right , -ful ). The notion of “legitimacy” dates from Middle English .