What does ungratefully mean?
Ungratefully is an adverb meaning in a way that fails to show gratitude or appreciation for something received. It describes conduct rather than a person's general character: someone may respond ungratefully to an offer of help, dismiss an award without thanks, or reject a gift in a manner suggesting that the benefit was unwelcome or undeserved. The word can be formal or informal, but its tone is generally critical and conveys moral disapproval as well as the simple absence of thanks. “Ungrateful” describes a person or attitude, whereas “ungratefully” modifies an action. In less emphatic contexts, “without thanks” or “without appreciation” may sound more neutral. Ungratefully is especially useful when precision matters, because it identifies not merely an omission but the manner in which a person treats a benefit they have received.
adverbIn a way that shows a lack of gratitude or appreciation for a benefit received.
- In a manner that displays no gratitude or appreciation for a benefit received.
"She accepted the invitation ungratefully, complaining that the arrangements were inconvenient."
"He left ungratefully without acknowledging the help his colleague had given him."
"The response was ungratefully dismissive, as though the award carried no value."
Add one negative prefix to “gratefully,” and appreciation becomes its opposite.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ungratefully come from?
Ungratefully was formed by adding the adverbial suffix “-ly” to “ungrateful,” which combines the negative prefix “un-” with “grateful.” “Grateful” comes from Latin gratus, meaning “pleasing” or “thankful,” through the development of English usage. The same Latin root is reflected in words such as “gratitude,” “gratify,” and “ingratitude.”
Related word forms
How ungratefully is actually used
This is standard in formal and informal English but is more strongly disapproving than “without thanks.” It is especially common when describing how someone responds to a gift, favour, award, or offer of assistance.
Easily confused with ungratefully
Gratefully expresses thanks and appreciation, whereas ungratefully describes conduct that fails to show them.
Ungrateful is normally an adjective describing a person, while ungratefully is an adverb describing how someone acts.