Ungrateful
/ʌnˈɡreɪtfəl/
Definitions
Not feeling or showing gratitude; unappreciative.
/ʌnˈɡreɪtfəl/
Not feeling or showing gratitude.
It is ungrateful of him to complain after all the help we gave him.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend gives you a super awesome present, like a game you really wanted. An ungrateful person wouldn't say thanks, or maybe even act like it wasn't good enough! They're not showing they appreciate the gift.
👶 For kids: Being ungrateful means you don't say 'thank you' or show you appreciate something someone did for you.
More Examples
She was an ungrateful child who never appreciated anything her parents did.
The king thought it was ungrateful of his subjects to rebel.
How It's Used
"She was ungrateful after receiving a generous gift."
"It's ungrateful to complain after someone has helped you."
Idioms & expressions
bite the hand that feeds you
To be ungrateful or disloyal to someone who has helped you, especially by harming or criticizing them.
"After all the support, he bit the hand that fed him by spreading rumors."
From Middle English *ungrateful*, from un- (prefix meaning 'not') + grateful. Grateful comes from Old French *greable*, from Latin *gratus* ('pleasing, agreeable').
The word has been used since the 14th century with a similar meaning to the modern usage, often found in religious texts and literature.
Memory tip
Think of someone who always expects more and never says thank you.