useful

adjective

use·​ful ˈyüs-fəl How to pronounce useful (audio)
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 adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Consuming high quality, unsweetened cocoa powder, or even 70% dark chocolate in small doses offers a sense of satiety that could be useful for those hoping to maintain or lose weight. Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024 India’s effort to build domestic support for global leadership by mounting a G-20 road show—encouraging popular participation by creating festival pavilions and scheduling lectures, meetings, and other events in dozens of Indian cities—provides a useful model. Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024 This ultimately leads them to quickly adopt useful new behaviors. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024 Seek feedback to learn techniques and other useful resources. Sho Dewan, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for useful 

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of useful was in 1595

Dictionary Entries Near useful

Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/useful. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

useful

adjective
use·​ful ˈyüs-fəl How to pronounce useful (audio)
1
: capable of being put to use : usable
useful scraps of material
2
: having practical value
a useful invention
usefully adverb
usefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on useful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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