useful

Everyday

1. Something useful helps you do something or is good for a purpose. tree →
2. A useful person helps a lot. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, useful things help with jobs: a torch is useful in a power cut. In school, «useful words» and «useful tips» help with writing; in maths, a number line is a useful tool. In science, some insects like bees and worms are useful to farmers. In safety, it is useful to know your address and an emergency number by heart.

Examples

• A ruler is useful for drawing straight lines. tree →
• Thanks, that was really useful advice. tree →
• Worms are useful because they make soil healthy. tree →
• It's useful to know your phone number by heart. tree →
• A torch is useful when the lights go out. tree →
• She made herself useful by setting the table. tree →
• Which tool would be most useful here? tree →
• Could anything be more exciting or more useful? tree →

Note

Spelt with one l at the end: useful (not «usefull»). Opposite: «useless». Comparative «more useful». «Useful» is said of things that help; «used» means old or second-hand. Say «a useful» (sounds like «yoo»), not «an useful».

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life, useful things help with jobs: a torch is useful in a power cut. In school, «useful words» and «useful tips» help with writing; in maths, a number line is a useful tool. In science, some insects like bees and worms are useful to farmers. In safety, it is useful to know your address and an emergency number by heart.

Examples

• Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Spelt with one l at the end: useful (not «usefull»). Opposite: «useless». Comparative «more useful». «Useful» is said of things that help; «used» means old or second-hand. Say «a useful» (sounds like «yoo»), not «an useful».