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

It is a small but meaningful act of service.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Dutch chip maker said in an open letter on Thursday that it hasn’t received any meaningful response from its Chinese unit despite multiple attempts to re-establish dialogue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Because of this, depending solely on symptoms and risk calculators can delay detection until meaningful prevention is no longer possible.

Read more on Science Daily

She said this had been another "big Budget", with "meaningful increases in tax, spending, and borrowing".

Read more on BBC

The Ombudsman also found the commission "limited the possibility of its departments to provide meaningful input" by condensing internal consultations into "less than 24 hours over a weekend".

Read more on Barron's

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.