Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1500-1600
Origin: grate 'pleasing, thankful' (16-17 centuries), from Latin gratus

grateful

 adjective
     
grate‧ful W3
1 feeling that you want to thank someone because of something kind that they have done, or showing this feeling [≠ ungrateful]
grateful for
I'm so grateful for all your help.
grateful to
I am very grateful to all those who took the trouble to write to me.
grateful (that)
She should be grateful that he was making things easier for her.
extremely/deeply/eternally etc grateful
I am extremely grateful for the assistance your staff have provided.
Our grateful thanks go to all who participated.
She gave me a grateful look.
2

I would be grateful if you could/would ...

formal used to make a request:
I would be most grateful if you could send me an invoice in due course.
—gratefully adverb:
All contributions will be gratefully received.
The authors gratefully acknowledge your financial support.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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