meaningful

Everyday

1. Having a clear meaning or making sense: «a meaningful sentence». tree →
2. Important, serious or valuable to someone: «a meaningful friendship», «a meaningful job». tree →
3. Showing a hidden feeling without words: «a meaningful look». tree →
4. (maths, science) Big or real enough to matter, not just chance: «a meaningful difference». tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons a meaningful sentence makes sense; a jumble of words is not meaningful. In everyday life, a meaningful gift or chat is one that matters. In stories, «a meaningful look» tells the reader two characters share a secret thought. In science and maths, a «meaningful difference» means the result is big enough to trust, not just luck. Phrases: «meaningful look», «meaningful conversation», «make it meaningful».

Examples

• Volunteering at the food bank felt really meaningful. tree →
• Mum gave Dad a meaningful look, and he stopped talking. tree →
• Put the words in order to make a meaningful sentence. tree →
• We had a meaningful talk about being kind. tree →
• A small difference of 1 cm is not meaningful when we measure with a ruler to the nearest cm. tree →
• Her grandfather's watch is very meaningful to her. tree →
• The teacher wants our feedback to be meaningful, not just «good job». tree →
• Meaningful work helps people feel proud. tree →
• He said nothing, but he exchanged a meaningful glance with the dragon, and everyone went home to tea. tree →

Note

Adjective; adverb «meaningfully». Opposite: «meaningless». Spelling: meaning + ful (one l). In maths/science problems, a meaningful answer has sensible units and size – a 50 m tall child is not a meaningful answer.