usefully

Usefully is an adverb meaning “in a way that is useful or beneficial.” It describes actions, results, or designs that have practical value and efficiency. In usage, usefully often modifies verbs and, less commonly, adjectives or participial phrases, to convey that something contributes positively in a functional sense.

Etymology traces usefully to the adjective useful, which comes from Old French utile and Latin utilis. The suffix -ly forms the common English adverb, yielding usefully to express manner or degree of usefulness.

Usage notes and examples: The term is common in formal or written English. Examples include: “The guide is usefully organized into sections,” “The report usefully highlights the main findings,” and “The device can be used to control parameters in a usefully simple way.” The phrase can pair with adjectives as well, such as “a usefully compact design.” In everyday speech, more common alternatives might be helpful, practical, or beneficial, depending on nuance.

Nuance and related terms: Usefully emphasizes practical usefulness and functional value rather than just effectiveness or appeal. Related nouns include usefulness and usefulness; related adjectives include useful. The opposite of usefully is uselessly, indicating a lack of practical value, though this term has a different negative connotation.

Overall, usefully is a formal, precise word chosen to stress the actionable utility of actions, objects, or ideas in contexts where practical impact is the focus.