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

Derived Forms

• ˈmeaningfully, adverb
• ˈmeaningfulness, noun

Other Words From

• meaning·ful·ly adverb
• meaning·ful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meaningful¹

First recorded in 1850–55; meaning + -ful

Example Sentences

Thune’s elevation signals a slight but meaningful check on the incoming MAGAfication of the federal government.

From Slate

“It’s not just watching and sitting in a chair and looking at a stage. With a sense of play, everybody is participating in story and aesthetics and all those good things the arts do for creating meaningful experiences and creating community.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re trying to make a meaningful connection, that parents and caregivers will trust us that we’re going to make content that’s enriching and warm and safe for their children.”

From Los Angeles Times

I love my city, and to be able to create this tribute piece to that moment in anticipation of what’s coming was really meaningful.

From Los Angeles Times

Supreme Court have ruled that Trump and his successors are de facto monarchs who are, in every meaningful sense, above the law.

From Salon

Related Words

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