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

That’s a meaningful amount of crude – roughly double what Wall Street oil analysts and shipping trackers like Kpler, using transponder data, would suggest. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Given his importance alongside Pargo, Stephens should have enough opportunity to compile meaningful numbers in what could be a buzzer-to-buzzer battle. — Juan Carlos Blanco, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

However, there are no assurances that this latest set of talks will lead to meaningful negotiations toward a settlement, the Times reported, citing people briefed on the upcoming discussions. — Ian Thomas, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2026

What books or recent reading projects have been particularly meaningful experiences to you? — Geoffrey O’Brien, The New York Review of Books, 22 Aug. 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