betydningsfull

Betydningsfull is a Norwegian adjective that describes something as meaningful or significant, often in a way that implies important consequences, implications, or lasting impact. It is used for events, statements, findings, or actions that carry notable importance beyond everyday relevance.

Etymology and related forms: the word is built from betydning, meaning meaning or significance, plus the suffix -full, meaning full of. Cognate forms exist in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish betydelsefull and Danish betydningsfuld, which share the same general sense of signifiance or importance.

Usage: betydningsfull is commonly used in formal, analytical, or narrative contexts, including academic writing, journalism, history, and critique. It conveys more than mere importance; it suggests that something has meaningful consequences, implications for understanding a topic, or a substantial role in shaping outcomes. It is distinct from synonyms like viktig (important) or meningsfull (meaningful in a personal or functional sense), though there is overlap in everyday language.

Examples: Et betydningsfullt funn i studien utfordrer eksisterende antakelser. Denne diskusjonen var betydningsfull for prosjektets retning. En betydningsfull konklusjon kan påvirke videre forskning.

See also: betydning, meningsfull, viktig, signifikans.

Note: The term is primarily used in Norwegian; it has cognates in Swedish and Danish with similar meanings, though spelling varies between languages.