healthful

[helth-fuhl]

adjective

1. conducive to health; wholesome or salutary.

   a healthful diet.

2. having or showing good health; healthy.

healthful

/ ˈhɛlθfʊl /

adjective

1. a less common word for healthy healthy healthy

Other Word Forms

• healthfully adverb
• healthfulness noun
• quasi-healthful adjective
• quasi-healthfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of healthful¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English helthful; health, -ful

Synonym Study

See healthy.

Example Sentences

Travel writers praised the region’s moderate temperatures and lack of humidity — dry, but not too dry — and described its healthful effects as almost miraculous.

From Los Angeles Times

Here’s the dilemma: Fruits and vegetables are among the neediest of flora because they require lots of nutrients and water to produce the delicious, healthful foods we love to eat.

From Los Angeles Times

Besides, not cooking them will save you time — and raw vegetables are often more nutritious and healthful than cooked, too.

From Salon

To battle depression, he meditated, exercised daily, cooked himself healthful local dishes, and there was “no partying, flute music, s— like that,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Skoulas advised staying away from places where you used to drink regularly while you set new, healthful patterns and rewire your brain.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• healthy 
• wholesome