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.
But if you’re just getting started in AI, those useful lists can start to feel overwhelming. Aytekin Tank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Tesori found that to be incredibly useful when composing the musical’s sound. David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024 Of course, some are just weird, like the Grampy Turnips, little old vegetable men planted in the soil who prattle on with unsolicited advice that’s occasionally useful and mostly waffle about. Josh Broadwell, Rolling Stone, 4 Nov. 2024 For those interested in investing in this segment of the market, technical analysis is useful in determining which of the two stocks may be better positioned. Katie Stockton, CNBC, 4 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 22 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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