useful

adjective

use·​ful ˈyüs-fəl 

1

: capable of being put to use

especially : serviceable for an end or purpose

useful tools

2

: of a valuable or productive kind

do something useful with your life

usefully

ˈyüs-fə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• actionable
• applicable
• applicative
• applied
• functional
• practicable
• practical
• serviceable
• ultrapractical
• usable
• useable
• workable
• working

Examples of useful in a Sentence

Does anyone have any useful suggestions?

It can be useful to know CPR.

The Internet is useful for finding information quickly.

She has become one of the team's most useful players.

Why don't you do something useful with your life?

Recent Examples on the Web

While metadata can be useful, indiscriminate collection can lead to information overload. —Mani Padisetti, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

This yearlong guide, incorporating writing prompts, exercises and insights on astrology and more, is sure to be a useful resource for every season. —Carly Tagen-Dye, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Michael Dukes: There had to be a useful outcome at the end. —Katie Hafner, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024

Learning how to plant without soil could be useful in other exploratory missions. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing useful

• come in useful
• come in useful/helpful
• make oneself useful
• prove (to be) useful
• useful idiot
• useful life

Kids Definition

useful

adjective

use·​ful ˈyüs-fəl 

1

: capable of being put to use : usable

useful scraps of material

2

: having practical value

a useful invention

usefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

usefulness noun