useful

adjective

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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 Fairly quick with the V-6, butch off-road stance, center differential enables a useful automatic four-wheel-drive mode. — Ezra Dyer, Car and Driver, "Tested: 2021 GMC Canyon AT4 Is Tough Enough for Most of Us," 29 Apr. 2021 In the movie version, Fox's wife, played by Helen Mirren, was about as useful as a dull pocketknife. — Neal Justin, Star Tribune, "'The Mosquito Coast' TV series may be the next 'Ozark'," 29 Apr. 2021 They are timed to when important information is available and most useful for development. — Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, "Adolescent Brains Are Wired to Want Status and Respect: That’s an Opportunity for Teachers and Parents," 28 Apr. 2021 Comparing 40 times and shuttle drills this year wasn’t as useful. — BostonGlobe.com, "For this year’s NFL Draft, teams are guessing more than ever," 28 Apr. 2021 Though campaigns directed at any kind of plastic are useful and admirable, in every respect this industry does by far the worst harm to the oceans in both its direct and its collateral impact. — Matthew Scully, National Review, "Into the Deep with Seaspiracy," 28 Apr. 2021 Those gravity readings have large margins of error and aren’t as useful, Zemp said. — NBC News, "Satellites show world’s glaciers melting faster than ever," 28 Apr. 2021 Those gravity readings have large margins of error and aren’t as useful, Zemp said. — Seth Borenstein, Anchorage Daily News, "Satellite images show glacier melt accelerating worldwide," 28 Apr. 2021 But, at some point, maybe not until my new fridge is crushed for scrap metal at the end of its useful life, that 127 grams of refrigerant will likely be released into the atmosphere. — Phil Mckenna, The Courier-Journal, "Finally. Refrigerator manufacturers to start giving you climate-friendly info you need," 19 Apr. 2021

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

1 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Useful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/useful. Accessed 9 May. 2021.

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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