useful

adjective

use·ful | \ ˈyüs-fəl

Definition of useful

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

Other Words from useful Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about useful

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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

Photo: Alastair Gale/The Wall Street Journal Newer branches of Strange Hotel are sticking to the robots that have proven useful. — Takashi Mochizuki, WSJ, "Robot Hotel Loses Love for Robots," 14 Jan. 2019 Our favorite friendly ghost Casper may serve as the inspiration for this Halloween color choice, but white lipstick is seriously useful. — Lauren Rearick, Teen Vogue, "The Best Lipstick Shades to Wear This Halloween — and How to Do It," 21 Sep. 2018 This is especially useful on, say, JetBlue, Logan’s largest carrier, which doesn’t have closets for hanging items in its A320 or E190, and says closets on the A321 are for onboard wheelchair stowage. — Alison Goldman, BostonGlobe.com, "I’m about to fly 1,000 miles with my wedding dress," 10 July 2018 Nationwide applications Olago from the University of Nairobi said the tool developed would prove useful elsewhere in the country, too – not least in the capital Nairobi, which is struggling to meet water demand. — Isaiah Esipisu, The Christian Science Monitor, "In sustainability search, Kenya studies the unknown depths of its aquifers," 2 July 2018 This isn't a flashy signing (especially considering the cap figure involved), but Caldwell-Pope could prove useful—if somewhat erratic. — Rob Mahoney, SI.com, "Grades: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Opts to Return to Lakers," 1 July 2018 This will be very useful for anyone seeking a career in the trades or going on to college. — Drew Harris, Philly.com, "Let's promote health and green space one empty lot at a time," 29 June 2018 The mower is a blade-brake-clutch type, which is particularly useful in fall and spring yard cleanup. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, "The Cub Cadet CC 600 Is a Walk-Behind Lawn Mower That Means Business," 5 Mar. 2019 Image: Vivo Vivo thinks the two displays could be useful in a few (dubious) scenarios. — Sam Byford, The Verge, "Vivo’s new Nex has a second display and ‘Lunar Ring’ on the back," 11 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'useful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Apr 2019

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The first known use of useful was in 1595

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More Definitions for useful

useful

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of useful

: helping to do or achieve something

See the full definition for useful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

useful

adjective

use·ful | \ ˈyüs-fəl

Kids Definition of useful

1 : capable of being put to use : usable useful scraps of material

2 : helpful in doing or achieving something If you are ever planning a vacation, you may find it useful to acquire a guidebook …— Lemony Snicket, The Miserable Mill