meaningful
gb/mˈinɪŋfəl/ us/mˈinɪŋfəl/
B2
English
~ 8300
érdemi, jelentős, tartalmas, jelentőségteljes, értelmes, sokatmondó, értelmezhető, jelentéses
B2
1
Usage pattern:
meaningful [noun]
The new law brought about meaningful change in how workers are treated.
Az új törvény érdemi változást hozott abban, ahogyan a munkavállalókkal bánnak.
We need to have a meaningful discussion about our long‑term goals.
Szükségünk van egy érdemi beszélgetésre a hosszú távú céljainkról.
The company claims its donation will make a meaningful difference in the community.
She is looking for meaningful work, not just a paycheck.
The project failed to produce any meaningful results.
Learner examples
The meeting did not lead to any meaningful change.
A megbeszélés nem vezetett semmilyen érdemi változáshoz.
He wants to do meaningful work that helps people.
Olyan érdemi munkát szeretne végezni, amellyel segíthet az embereknek.
Their talk was short but very meaningful for both of them.
This program gives students a meaningful role in school life.
The test scores did not show any meaningful progress.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "meaningful" when they only mean "clear" or "easy to understand." "Meaningful" usually suggests importance or real effect, not just clarity. Also, do not confuse "meaningful" (adjective) with the verb "to mean" (e.g., *It means...*).
Meaning
important or significant in effect
Collocations
meaningful change
|meaningful progress
|meaningful discussion
|meaningful work
|meaningful impact
|a meaningful difference
Synonyms
significant (Very close in meaning; often slightly more formal and common in academic or official writing.)
Antonyms
trivial (Describes something small and not important, the opposite of something meaningful.)
Themes
values
|work
|society
|change
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Important in a real way and not small or unimportant.
Having real importance, value, or effect, especially as opposed to being small, superficial, or symbolic only.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a meaningful [relationship/life/experience]
She has built meaningful relationships with her neighbors over many years.
Az évek során tartalmas kapcsolatokat alakított ki a szomszédaival.
Volunteering gave him a more meaningful life after retirement.
Az önkénteskedés tartalmasabbá tette az életét a nyugdíjba vonulása után.
Traveling alone was a deeply meaningful experience for her.
He wants a meaningful connection, not just casual dating.
In this job I finally feel I have a meaningful role in society.
Learner examples
I want a meaningful life, not just money.
Tartalmas életet szeretnék, nem olyat, ami csak a pénzről szól.
She hopes to find a meaningful relationship.
Reméli, hogy tartalmas kapcsolatra talál.
The trip to her home country was very meaningful to her.
Helping sick children is meaningful work for him.
This project is meaningful because it helps my community.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "meaningful" only for intellectual meaning, but this sense is about personal or emotional importance. Phrases like "a meaningful life" or "a meaningful relationship" usually talk about purpose and feelings, not just ideas.
Meaning
personally important or emotionally significant
Collocations
meaningful relationships
|a meaningful life
|meaningful experience
|meaningful connection
|meaningful role
Synonyms
fulfilling (Focuses more on the feeling of satisfaction and personal growth, while "meaningful" also stresses importance or value.)
Antonyms
empty (Describes experiences or lives that feel without purpose or emotional value, the opposite of meaningful ones.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|personal_growth
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very important to a person and giving them strong good feelings or a sense of purpose.
Having deep personal importance or emotional value, often giving a sense of purpose or fulfillment.
C1
3
sokatmondó
B2
Usage pattern:
a meaningful [look/glance/silence/pause]
She gave him a meaningful look across the table, telling him to stop talking.
Az asztal túloldaláról sokatmondó pillantást vetett rá, jelezve neki, hogy hagyja abba a beszédet.
There was a short, meaningful silence before he answered the question.
Rövid, sokatmondó csend állt be, mielőtt válaszolt volna a kérdésre.
His meaningful smile suggested that he knew more than he was saying.
The judge paused in a meaningful way before announcing the verdict.
They exchanged a meaningful glance as the meeting began.
Learner examples
She gave me a meaningful look and I stopped talking.
Sokatmondó pillantást vetett rám, én pedig elhallgattam.
There was a meaningful silence after his joke failed.
Sokatmondó csend támadt, miután a poénja nem jött be.
He smiled in a meaningful way when she entered the room.
The teacher’s meaningful glance told us to be quiet.
They shared a meaningful look when they heard the news.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this always means "full of general meaning." In this sense, "meaningful" is specific to nonverbal communication that secretly or indirectly says something. Use it mostly with words like "look," "glance," "smile," "pause," or "silence."
Meaning
showing an unspoken or hidden message
Collocations
meaningful look
|meaningful glance
|meaningful silence
|meaningful pause
|meaningful smile
Synonyms
expressive (Describes showing feelings clearly; "meaningful" suggests that the look or gesture also carries a specific, often hidden, message.)
Antonyms
blank (A "blank" look shows no clear message or feeling, the opposite of a meaningful look.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|nonverbal
Definition
Showing a special message or feeling without words, usually with the face, eyes, or a pause.
Showing or suggesting something important without saying it directly, especially through looks, pauses, or gestures.
TECHNICAL
4
értelmezhető
B2
jelentéses
C1
Usage pattern:
meaningful [data/results/comparison/sentence]
No example pairs yet.
Meaning
understandable and useful for analysis
Collocations
meaningful data
|meaningful results
|meaningful statistics
|meaningful pattern
|meaningful comparison
Synonyms
interpretable (Used mainly in technical or academic contexts to mean that data or results can be understood; "meaningful" adds the idea that they are also useful or important.)
Antonyms
meaningless (Describes data, results, or sentences that cannot be interpreted or have no real content, the direct opposite of this sense of "meaningful."}],)
Themes
language
|science
|analysis
|technology
|education
Definition
Clear enough to understand and use, especially when talking about data, results, or sentences.
Having a clear, interpretable meaning or structure, especially in language, data, or measurements, so that it is not random, empty, or nonsensical.
Grammar
Dictionary form
meaningful
IPA
GB/mˈinɪŋfəl/
US/mˈinɪŋfəl/
Syllables & stress
mean - ing - ful (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: meaningful
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
meaningless
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
meaningfulness
noun
meaninglessness
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.