Standard Lemma guide

usefully

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: Y UW1 S F AH0 L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a useful manner; in a way that achieves something

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I would rather have it said, "He lived usefully," than, "He died rich."

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a useful manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • extra money could be usefully spent on this project

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: uselessly

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English useful Middle English -ly English -ly English usefully From useful + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: полезно (polezno) — in a useful manner
  • Catalan: útilment — in a useful manner
  • Czech: užitečně — in a useful manner
  • Finnish: hyödyllisesti — in a useful manner
  • Finnish: käytännöllisesti — in a useful manner
  • French: utilement — in a useful manner
  • Galician: utilmente — in a useful manner
  • Italian: utilmente — in a useful manner
  • Old English: nytlīċe — in a useful manner
  • Polish: użytecznie — in a useful manner
  • Polish: pożytecznie — in a useful manner
  • Portuguese: utilmente — in a useful manner
  • Spanish: útilmente — in a useful manner