The word gratitude comes from the Latin root gratus, meaning “pleasing; welcome; agreeable.” Gratus is also the root of related terms such as grace, gratuity and gratis, all signifying positive moods, actions and ideas.

Where does gratefulness come from?

'Gratitude' derives from the Latin 'gratia', which, depending on the context, translates as 'grace', 'graciousness', or 'gratefulness'.

Is Thankful a religious word?

Jonathan Edwards writes in his A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections that gratitude and thankfulness toward God are among the signs of true religion. Because of this interpretation, modern measures of religious spirituality include assessments of thankfulness and gratitude towards God.