The word "ungratefulness" is spelled with a prefix "un-", which means not, added to the noun "gratefulness". It is pronounced /ʌnˈɡreɪtfəlnəs/. The first syllable "un-" is pronounced as /ʌn/, with a short "u" sound and a schwa sound "ə". The stressed syllable "grate" is pronounced as /ɡreɪt/ with a long "a" sound and the unstressed syllable "-ful" is pronounced as /fəl/ with a schwa sound followed by /l/. The suffix "-ness" is pronounced as /nəs/ with a schwa sound and a nasal "n" sound.
Ungratefulness is a noun that refers to the state or quality of being ungrateful. It characterizes someone who lacks appreciation or acknowledgment for something they have received or for the efforts made on their behalf. It is an attitude or behavior that is marked by a lack of gratitude, thankfulness, or recognition towards others.
When someone displays ungratefulness, they fail to show appreciation for acts of kindness, favors, gifts, or the assistance provided by others. This disregard for gratitude often stems from an individual's sense of entitlement, self-centeredness, or dissatisfaction with what they have received. Ungratefulness is typically demonstrated through a lack of verbal or nonverbal expressions of thanks, coupled with an attitude of indifference or even resentment towards the giver.
This trait of ungratefulness can be highly detrimental to relationships, as it can strain the bond between the ungrateful person and the negatively impacted party. It signifies a lack of understanding or valuing the efforts, sacrifices, or resources invested by others. Ungratefulness can also be perceived as disrespectful, thoughtless, or unappreciative, potentially leading to tension or conflict in personal, professional, or social contexts.
Cultivating gratitude and recognizing the positive contributions made by others is essential for fostering healthy relationships, building trust and mutual understanding. Thus, ungratefulness stands in opposition to these ideals, representing an undesirable quality that hampers harmonious interactions.
Wanting in thankful feelings for favours received; ill return for a kindness.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "ungratefulness" is derived from the combination of the prefix "un-" and the root word "grateful".
The prefix "un-" functions to negate the word it is attached to. In this case, it negates the word "grateful", which means showing gratitude or thankful for something received or experienced.
The root word "grateful" traces its origins back to the Old English word "grēotfūl", which meant "grateful" or "thankful". It is constructed by combining the Old English words "grēot" ("grace" or "favor") and "fūl" ("full of" or "characterized by"). Over time, "grēotfūl" transformed into "grateful" in Middle English.