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

The most useful example turned out to be something Alexa had previously done very well. — New Atlas, 27 Aug. 2026

The property’s unorthodox form also proved to be useful during the NBA Finals in June, when a pizzeria projected games onto the side of the building. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 Aug. 2026

As part of the announcement, CTO Joel Hron said companies do not need ever-larger, more expensive models to get useful results, and that starting from a strong open foundation and specializing it deeply can produce capable AI at lower cost. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Clinical psychologist Katie Witkiewitz told the APA that examining alcohol this way can be useful even when drinking has not become a disorder. — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 27 Aug. 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