usefulness

noun

use·​ful·​ness ˈyüs-fəl-nəs How to pronounce usefulness (audio)
Synonyms of usefulnessnext
: the quality of having utility and especially practical worth or applicability

Synonyms of usefulness

Relevance
See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of usefulness in a Sentence

the well-known usefulness of thick phone books as seat boosters for short diners
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is why observing how people treat those who have less status, power, or usefulness to them can be so revealing. — Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Instead, Joe’s bureaucratic limbo provides a route into questions of usefulness, intimacy and belonging, combining an absurdist view of the future with a warmer, more humanist register. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 Advertisement McKleroy, meanwhile, likes to over-research, add more information, and complicate projects past the point of usefulness. — Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Aug. 2026 Even if the limb could be spared, its future usefulness was doubtful. — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for usefulness

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of usefulness was in 1618

Phrases Containing usefulness

Browse Nearby Words

usefully
usefulness
use inheritance
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Usefulness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/usefulness. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of dissonant

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All