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healthful
adjective
health·ful
ˈhelth-fəl
also ˈheltth-
1
: beneficial to health of body or mind
2
: healthy
he felt incapable of looking into the girl's pretty, healthful face—Saul Bellow
healthfully
adverb
healthfulness
noun
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for healthful
healthful, wholesome, salubrious, salutary mean favorable to the health of mind or body.
healthful implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition.
a healthful diet
wholesome applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually.
wholesome foods
the movie is wholesome family entertainment
salubrious applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air.
cool and salubrious weather
salutary describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant.
a salutary warning that resulted in increased production
Examples of healthful in a Sentence
The meal was both healthful and satisfying.
one of the most healthful forms of exercise is a brisk walk
Recent Examples on the Web
There are ways to ease the adjustment, including getting more sunshine to help reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep.
—Associated Press, TIME, 27 Oct. 2024
The project works to develop innovative and sustainable food procurement criteria and create a more holistic, healthful food culture in schools.
—Danielle Nierenberg, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
To make a healthful cup of instant coffee, consider these steps:
Measure the coffee granules: Most instant coffee brands recommend using 1 to 2 teaspoons of coffee granules per cup of hot water.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 15 Oct. 2024
Lentils are also an affordable source of protein, fiber, folate and iron.
Lentils, which are a healthful substitute for meat, have a long and rich history.
—Bethany Thayer, Detroit Free Press, 19 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of healthful was
in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near healthful
Cite this Entry
“Healthful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/healthful. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
healthful
adjective
health·ful
ˈhelth-fəl
1
: good for the health of the body or mind
healthful exercise
2
healthfully
adverb
-fə-lē
healthfulness
noun
Medical Definition
healthful
adjective
health·ful
ˈhelth-fəl
: beneficial to health of body or mind
healthfulness
noun
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