Useful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈyüs-fəl/ use·ful

Meaning & Definition of Useful

Useful (adjective)

  1. capable of being put to use; especially, serviceable for an end or purpose
  2. of a valuable or productive kind

Useful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. capable of being put to use or account

    "useful suggestions for limiting the amount of food we eat"

    similar: actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, functional, practicable, practical, serviceable, ultrapractical, usable, workable, working
    related: down-to-earth, pragmatic, utilitarian, banausic, mundane, accessible, available, obtainable, reachable, all-around, handy, active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, operating, operative
    opposite: impracticable, impractical, inapplicable, nonpractical, unusable, unworkable, useless
    near: abstract, academic, armchair, theoretical, inaccessible, unattainable, unavailable, unobtainable, unreachable, unsuitable

  2. capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose

    "I've found this tool really useful for making sure all my pictures are hung straight"

    similar: available, employable, exploitable, fit, functional, operable, practicable, serviceable, usable
    related: applicable, relevant, doable, feasible, viable, workable, reusable
    opposite: impracticable, inoperable, nonfunctional, unavailable, unemployable, unusable

  3. providing service or assistance

    "hopefully, the consultant's financial advice will prove useful in planning for our retirement"

    similar: conducive, facilitative, helpful
    related: advantageous, beneficial, efficacious, favorable, productive, profitable, salutary, accommodating, obliging
    opposite: unhelpful, useless
    near: ineffective, ineffectual, adverse, disadvantageous, inconvenient, profitless, unfavorable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Useful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Useful:

actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, functional, practicable, practical, serviceable, ultrapractical, usable, workable, working, available, employable, exploitable, fit, operable, conducive, facilitative, helpful

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Useful

Words with the opposite meaning of Useful:

impracticable, impractical, inapplicable, nonpractical, unusable, unworkable, useless, inoperable, nonfunctional, unavailable, unemployable, unhelpful

Related Words for Useful

down-to-earth, pragmatic, utilitarian, banausic, mundane, accessible, obtainable, reachable, all-around, handy, active, alive, busy, employed, functioning, operating, operative, relevant, doable, feasible, viable, reusable, advantageous, beneficial, efficacious, favorable, productive, profitable, salutary, accommodating

Near Antonyms of Useful

abstract, academic, armchair, theoretical, inaccessible, unattainable, unobtainable, unreachable, unsuitable, ineffective, ineffectual, adverse, disadvantageous, inconvenient, profitless, unfavorable

Word Forms of Useful

Derived words: usefully (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Useful

First known use: 1595

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Useful

Words & Phrases Containing Useful

useful idiot, useful life, come in useful, make oneself useful, prove (to be) useful

Frequently Asked Questions about Useful

What does "Useful" mean?

"Useful" means capable of being put to use; especially, serviceable for an end or purpose. As an adjective, it is defined as: capable of being put to use; especially, serviceable for an end or purpose. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Useful"?

Other words for "Useful" include actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, functional, practicable, practical and serviceable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Useful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Useful"?

There are 51 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Useful". Common alternatives include actionable, applicable, applicative, applied, functional, practicable, practical, serviceable, ultrapractical and usable.

What is the opposite of "Useful"?

Antonyms of "Useful" include impracticable, impractical, inapplicable, nonpractical, unusable, unworkable, useless and inoperable. Near antonyms include abstract, academic, armchair and theoretical.

How do you use "Useful" in a sentence?

Examples of "Useful" in a sentence: "useful suggestions for limiting the amount of food we eat"; "I've found this tool really useful for making sure all my pictures are hung straight"; "hopefully, the consultant's financial advice will prove useful in planning for our retirement".

Is "Useful" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Useful" is an adjective.

Is "Useful" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Useful" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Useful"?

"Useful" is pronounced /ˈyüs-fəl/ and divided into syllables as use·ful.