# useful

/ˈjusfəɫ/ (US) · /jˈuːsfəl/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/useful
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

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

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

## Examples

- This map is very useful for our trip.
- The teacher gave us some useful tips on how to prepare for the final exam.
- While the initial data seemed chaotic, the researcher found several useful patterns that eventually formed the basis of her groundbreaking theory on urban migration.

## Pitfalls

- Not "This tool is very usefully." but "This tool is very useful." — Learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'useful' with the adverb 'usefully' when following a linking verb like 'be'.

## Usage notes

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

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.