English Reference
Adjective

useful

adj.
A1 Beginner Oxford US /ˈjusfəɫ/ UK /jˈuːsfəl/ use·ful

adj.helping you to do or get what you want. You use this to describe things that are good for a specific job or purpose.

adj.providing a practical benefit or serving a functional purpose. Frequently used to describe tools, information, or advice that facilitates the achievement of a goal.


SIMPLE

This map is very useful for our trip.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher gave us some useful tips on how to prepare for the final exam.

COMPLEX

While the initial data seemed chaotic, the researcher found several useful patterns that eventually formed the basis of her groundbreaking theory on urban migration.

Usage

Commonly followed by the preposition 'for' when indicating a purpose or 'to' when followed by an infinitive.

Pitfall
This tool is very usefully.This tool is very useful.

Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'useful' with the adverb 'usefully' when following a linking verb like 'be'.

Usage useful life · useful question · useful tool


From use + -ful.

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

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Common
Updated