useful

adjective

use·​ful ˈyüs-fəl 

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

usefully

ˈyüs-fə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• applicable
• practical
• applied
• applicative
• useable

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

There's no doubt that fanny packs are useful travel bags, but they’re not always considered to be the most fashion-forward option. —Asia London Palomba, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2025

The Pixel 9 Pro XL produces great photos that capture outstanding, clear details, and the generative AI app, Pixel Studio, is a fun and useful creative tool. —Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 12 July 2025

An abundance of useful assets is far more powerful than a small number of exquisite ones. —Charles Beames, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

At 10x magnification, hand shakes are amplified and therefore image stabilization becomes that much more useful. —Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing useful

• come in useful
• come in useful/helpful
• make oneself useful
• prove (to be) useful
• useful idiot
• useful life

Kids Definition

useful

adjective

use·​ful ˈyüs-fəl 

1

: capable of being put to use : usable

useful scraps of material

2

: having practical value

a useful invention

usefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

usefulness noun