Word
healthful
Phoneticshealth·ful, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɛɫθfəɫ/
UK/hˈɛlθfəl/
Definition
adj. good for your health. You use this to describe food, exercise, or habits that help you stay strong and well.
adj. conducive to or promoting good health. Often used to describe dietary choices or environmental conditions that support physical well-being.
Examples
“A diet rich in vegetables is very healthful.”
“The doctor recommended a healthful lifestyle that includes daily exercise and plenty of fresh fruits.”
“While the marketing claims the drink is healthful, it actually contains more sugar than a standard soft drink, which can be detrimental to long-term metabolic health.”
Examples
simple
“A diet rich in vegetables is very healthful.”
contextual
“The doctor recommended a healthful lifestyle that includes daily exercise and plenty of fresh fruits.”
complex
“While the marketing claims the drink is healthful, it actually contains more sugar than a standard soft drink, which can be detrimental to long-term metabolic health.”
Confusables
Healthy describes the state of a living being, while healthful describes something that improves or maintains that state.
RememberHealthy is how you feel; healthful is what the food does.
Real-World Examples
“It remained a mostly healthful, balanced meal at low effort.” Etymology
From Middle English helthful, helþful, helþeful, equivalent to health + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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