meaningful

adjective

mean·​ing·​ful ˈmē-niŋ-fəl 

1

a

: having a meaning or purpose

The tests did not produce any meaningful results.

b

: full of meaning : significant

a meaningful life

a meaningful relationship

2

: having an assigned function in a language system

meaningful propositions

meaningfully

ˈmē-niŋ-fə-lē 

adverb

meaningfulness noun

Synonyms of meaningful

• suggestive
• eloquent
• expressive
• revealing
• meaning

Examples of meaningful in a Sentence

The test did not produce any meaningful results.

She looked at him in a meaningful way.

He wanted to feel that his job was meaningful.

The trip turned out to be very meaningful for both of them.

Recent Examples on the Web

But one of the things to wonder at amid the good vibes is whether a different, more coherent, more sober scene would have been more meaningful, more enduring. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

On top of that, the 49ers were leaning on Kendrick Bourne, Demarcus Robinson and Jake Tonges to play meaningful roles in their top-10 offense and top-10 offense. — Michael Beller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

While deeming the moratorium a meaningful step in the right direction, some hoped Mamdani would’ve gone further. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 3 Sep. 2026

Preliminary data from 2025 show another meaningful drop, though overdose mortality is still quite high. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

meaningful

adjective

mean·​ing·​ful ˈmē-niŋ-fəl 

1

: having a meaning or purpose

meaningful work

2

: full of meaning : significant

a meaningful experience

meaningfully

-fə-lē 

adverb