meaningful

[mee-ning-fuhl]

adjective

1. full of meaning, significance, purpose, or value; purposeful; significant.

   a meaningful wink;

   a meaningful choice.

meaningful

/ ˈmiːnɪŋfʊl /

adjective

1. having great meaning or validity

2. eloquent, expressive

   a meaningful silence

Other Word Forms

• meaningfully adverb
• meaningfulness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meaningful¹

First recorded in 1850–55; meaning + -ful

Example Sentences

Last year, Commonwealth leaders agreed it was time for a "meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation" about reparatory justice for the "abhorrent" transatlantic slave trade.

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Federal prosecutors sought a three-year prison sentence against Lira for his role in the legal fraud scheme, arguing that his lies to clients and to Judge Durkin warranted a meaningful term of imprisonment.

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Bellerin says meaningful change will only happen when players come together and take collective action.

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Amorim needs to get a sequence of positive results to persuade the hierarchy and the fans he can deliver the meaningful impact United were searching for when they employed him nearly a year ago.

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“And it was very meaningful to me. Now I hear him talk about it and it’s very interesting because he can say, ‘Oh, I see where I made mistakes in that relationship.’

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• consequential 
• essential 
• important 
• purposeful 
• relevant 
• serious 
• substantial 
• useful 
• valid 
• worthwhile 

When To Use

What are other ways to say meaningful?

Something that is meaningful, such as a meaningful wink or meaningful choice, is full of meaning, purpose, or value. Do you know how meaningful differs from the synonyms expressive, significant, and suggestive? Find out on Thesaurus.com.