Meaningful: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'meaningful' when you want to describe something that has deep importance and significance, often with emotional or personal value.

• Her words were meaningful to me
• The gesture was small but meaningful

Use 'significant' to describe something that has considerable importance, size, or worth, often backed by evidence or data.

• There was a significant increase in sales last month
• That achievement is significant for her career

Choose 'important' for situations where you want to emphasize the importance or necessity of something, often objectively or practically.

• It's important to drink water every day
• The meeting is important, don't miss it

Use 'valuable' when referring to something with a lot of worth, either monetary or in terms of utility and benefit.

• This watch is quite valuable
• Your feedback is valuable to our team

Used to describe something that has a clear purpose or importance and can evoke or communicate deep feelings or thoughts.

• The speech was so meaningful that it left everyone in tears.
• She gave him a meaningful look before she left.

Used to describe something that is of great importance, value, or influence. It often implies a quantitative or qualitative measure.

• Winning the award was a significant achievement in his career.
• There was a significant increase in sales last quarter.

Used to describe something that effectively conveys emotion or thought, often through gestures, words, or art.

• Her eyes were very expressive, revealing her true feelings.
• The dance performance was incredibly expressive and moved the audience.

Used to describe something that represents or stands for something else, often holding deeper meaning or representing abstract concepts.

• The dove is symbolic of peace.
• The exchange of rings is symbolic in many wedding ceremonies.

Used to describe something that has a significant impact, purpose, or importance. Often used in positive contexts to indicate depth and relevance.

• Her speech was so meaningful that it left everyone inspired
• They shared a meaningful conversation about their future

Used to describe something that is deep in terms of insight, understanding, or seriousness. It generally conveys a sense of thoughtful intelligence or gravity.

• The scientist made a profound discovery that changed the course of history
• His words had a profound impact on her life

Used to describe actions or ideas that show careful consideration or attention to detail. It often implies kindness and a deep, deliberate thinking process.

• She gave him a thoughtful gift that showed how well she knew him
• His thoughtful analysis helped solve the problem efficiently

Used when referring to something that strongly affects one's feelings. It often implies a deep personal response that can be positive or negative.

• The movie was so emotional that many people in the audience were crying
• He wrote an emotional letter to his long-lost friend