useful
Americanadjective
-
being of use or service; serving some purpose; advantageous, helpful, or of good effect.
a useful member of society.
- Synonyms:
- beneficial, efficacious, profitable
- Antonyms:
- useless
-
of practical use, as for doing work; producing material results; supplying common needs.
the useful arts; useful work.
- Synonyms:
- beneficial, efficacious, profitable
- Antonyms:
- useless
adjective
-
able to be used advantageously, beneficially, or for several purposes; helpful or serviceable
-
informal commendable or capable
a useful term's work
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of useful
Explanation
If you can use something, it's useful. Useful things are handy for whatever you're doing. If something is just what you need or you just find it helpful, then it's useful. A hammer is useful in building many things. Coasters are useful if you don't want a coffee table to get stains. College degrees are useful — or necessary — for many careers. MacGyver would tell you that just about anything can be useful at some point: it all depends what you need to do.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It may be a useful tool for some people — but it isn’t a magic wand for improving your health.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
Looking at models like the one Dell enjoys provides a useful way to game out a potential collapse.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
My opinion is very useful to many agendas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
Protein shakes, powders or bars can be useful for some, including high-level athletes and those who have certain allergies, but they should not replace a healthy diet.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
Emma is almost finished typing our business plan, including my extremely useful comments.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
