meaningful

adjective

mean·​ing·​ful ˈmē-niŋ-fəl How to pronounce meaningful (audio)
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 adverb
meaningfulness noun

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
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.
Her core messaging from her research is vulnerability is essential for courage, creativity, and meaningful connection—and confronting uncomfortable feelings is necessary in developing resilience and authentic leadership. Sydney Lake, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025 Each candle pairs a calming scent with a meaningful crystal, like rose quartz for healing or garnet for passion. Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 13 Oct. 2025 The total effect of those associations was slowly inching upward, and many scientists hoped to soon be able to make meaningful predictions of IQ based on DNA. Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025 Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones picked up two first-round selections in the Parsons trade, so parting with a second-round pick to add a meaningful player to a struggling defense isn't a wild proposition. Max Dible, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meaningful

Word History

First Known Use

1852, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of meaningful was in 1852

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Cite this Entry

“Meaningful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meaningful. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

meaningful

adjective
mean·​ing·​ful ˈmē-niŋ-fəl How to pronounce meaningful (audio)
1
: having a meaning or purpose
meaningful work
2
: full of meaning : significant
a meaningful experience
meaningfully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on meaningful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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