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

• applicable
• practical
• applied
• applicative
• useable

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

This is particularly useful now that most new smartphones and laptops are being sold with Wi-Fi 7 compatibility. —Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Two class-action lawsuits have been filed against the app following the hacks and users are questioning whether the app is actually useful in safeguarding the lives of women. —Fortesa Latifi, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2025

Heated floors in Southern California are about as useful as A/C in Antarctica. —John Vorwald, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2025

But these experiences are useful only if they are overseen and supported by an experienced and caring educator and supported by the organization’s leadership. —Gail Richmond, The Conversation, 4 Aug. 2025

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