healthful

health·ful

adjective \ˈhelth-fəl also ˈheltth-\

Definition of HEALTHFUL

1

: beneficial to health of body or mind

2

: healthy <he felt incapable of looking into the girl's pretty, healthful face — Saul Bellow>

— health·ful·ly adverb

— health·ful·ness noun

Examples of HEALTHFUL

1. The meal was both healthful and satisfying.
2. <one of the most healthful forms of exercise is a brisk walk>

First Known Use of HEALTHFUL

14th century

Related to HEALTHFUL

Synonyms

good, healthy, medicinal, restorative, salubrious, salutary, salutiferous, sanative, tonic, wholesome

Antonyms

insalubrious, noxious, unhealthful, unhealthy, unwholesome

Related Words

alleviative, corrective, curative, recuperative, refreshing, rehabilitative, rejuvenating, rejuvenescent, remedial; advantageous, useful; antiseptic, aseptic, clean, hygienic, sanitary; nourishing, nutritional, nutritious; nonpoisonous, nontoxic

Near Antonyms

damaging, deleterious, harmful, injurious, pernicious; infectious, poisonous, sickening, toxic; insanitary, unhygienic, unsanitary

Synonym Discussion of HEALTHFUL

healthful, wholesome, salubrious, salutary mean favorable to the health of mind or body. healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition <a healthful diet>. wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually <wholesome foods> <the movie is wholesome family entertainment>. salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air <cool and salubrious weather>. salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant <a salutary warning that resulted in increased production>.

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

health·ful

adjective \ˈhelth-fəl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HEALTHFUL

: beneficial to health of body or mind

—health·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ (audio pronunciation) adverb

—health·ful·ness noun