Reading Theme:
Meaningful: Definition, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：full of purpose or significance (meaningful)
meaningful
/ˈmiːnɪŋfəl/
adj.
Having a clear purpose or importance, making you feel that your time or effort is well spent.
full of purpose or significance
➕
/fʊl əv ˈpɜːrpəs ɔːr sɪɡˈnɪfɪkəns/
adj.
Describing something that has a clear aim or value, making one feel that time or effort is justified.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Meaning + -ful (full of). Root 'mean' from Old English 'mænan' (to intend).
💡 Mnemonic
A 'meaningful' life is filled with 'meaning' – think of the 'mean' in 'meaningful' as the core purpose.
📖 Example
After she started volunteering at the animal shelter, she felt her life was much more meaningful.
After she started volunteering at the animal shelter, she felt her life was much more meaningful.
🔗 Collocations
meaningful conversation – a conversation that is significant and deep
meaningful relationship – a relationship that has purpose and depth
meaningful contribution – a contribution that makes a real difference
🔄 Synonyms
significant (adj.) – having great meaning or value
purposeful (adj.) – having a clear purpose or aim
important (adj.) – of great significance or value
🚫 Antonyms
meaningless (adj.) – without purpose or value
trivial (adj.) – of little importance
insignificant (adj.) – not significant
🌱 Derivatives
meaningfulness (n.) – the quality of being meaningful
meaningfully (adv.) – in a way that is full of meaning or purpose
📖 Cultural Story
Meaningful derives from 'meaning' (from Old English 'mæning', verbal noun of 'mænan' meaning 'to intend') plus '-ful'. The word became common in the 1800s to describe actions or experiences with deep personal value.
Meaning 2：loaded with implication (meaningful)
meaningful
/ˈmiːnɪŋfəl/
adj.
Conveying more information than is immediately apparent, often through a look, pause, or choice of words.
loaded with implication
➕
/ˈloʊdɪd wɪð ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃən/
adj.
Conveying more than the obvious meaning, often through subtle cues like a glance or a pause.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
When I asked about the surprise party, my sister gave me a meaningful look and changed the subject.
When I asked about the surprise party, my sister gave me a meaningful look and changed the subject.
🔗 Collocations
meaningful look – a look that communicates a hidden message
meaningful pause – a pause that carries significance
meaningful glance – a quick look that implies something important
🔄 Synonyms
expressive (adj.) – conveying meaning through expression
suggestive (adj.) – implying something without stating directly
eloquent (adj.) – powerfully expressive
🚫 Antonyms
blank (adj.) – showing no emotion or meaning
expressionless (adj.) – without expression
vapid (adj.) – lacking interest or significance
🌱 Derivatives
meaningfully (adv.) – in a way that conveys hidden meaning
meaningfulness (n.) – the quality of being expressive or significant
Wordbook
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