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 of useful

• applicable
• practical
• applied
• applicative

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

Debt for any company can be necessary and useful if balanced by the ability to pay the debt service. — Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026

Review social media posts Social media platforms and patient reviews can be a useful tool before visiting for a consultation. — Ella Moore july 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

That said, to date only a fraction of humanoids sold are employed in actual useful work. — Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 July 2026

That’s where this comparison with the early warning system in Chile, Mexico, Japan and other countries became useful. — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 23 July 2026

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