English Reference
Adjective

healthful

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈhɛɫθfəɫ/ UK /hˈɛlθfəl/ health·ful

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.


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.

Don't confuse

healthful vs healthy — Healthy describes the state of a living being, while healthful describes something that improves or maintains that state.


From Middle English helthful, helþful, helþeful, equivalent to health + -ful.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English helthful
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated