meaningful

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Having real importance or value, especially in a way that matters to a person emotionally.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after be: a meaningful gift, the work felt meaningful.

   Patterns

   • be meaningful to someone
   • a meaningful life

   Volunteering at the shelter was a meaningful experience for her.

   His handwritten letter was more meaningful than any expensive gift.

   I wanted a job that felt meaningful, not just well paid.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Large enough or clear enough to produce a noticeable result.

   Grammar: Often placed before words like change, progress or difference.

   Patterns

   • meaningful change
   • a meaningful difference

   The new rule has not made a meaningful difference to traffic.

   Voters want meaningful reform, not empty promises.

   The data show a meaningful increase in sales.

3. 3adjectivebefore a noun

   Carrying a hidden or clear message, as a look or gesture does.

   Grammar: Often used for looks and silences: a meaningful glance.

   Patterns

   • a meaningful look

   She gave him a meaningful glance across the table.

   There was a meaningful pause before he answered.

   Her meaningful smile told us she already knew the news.

Word forms

Common combinations

meaningful relationship

She hoped to build a meaningful relationship with her mentor.

meaningful work

Many young people look for meaningful work.

meaningful change

The council promised meaningful change in the neighborhood.

meaningful conversation

We finally had a meaningful conversation about our plans.

meaningful look

He gave her a meaningful look when the topic came up.

Synonyms and how they differ

significant

Significant stresses importance or size, especially in reports and statistics, but meaningful often adds a personal or emotional weight.

purposeful

Purposeful describes actions with a clear aim, while meaningful says something has value or message.

substantial

Substantial means large or solid in amount, and it does not describe feelings or messages.

expressive

Expressive means showing feeling clearly, as a face does, while meaningful suggests a particular message is intended.

Opposites

Word family

mean verb

to express or be intended to show something

meaning noun

what a word or action expresses

meaningfully adverb

in a way that matters or conveys a message

meaningless adjective

without sense or value

meaningfulness noun

the quality of having value or purpose

Commonly confused: meaningful or meaning?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “meaningful”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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