useful/suitable

Từ điển Oxford Learners Wordfinder Dictionary

1 useful
2 suitable
things that are not useful and that you throw away RUBBISH

1 useful
- if sth helps you or you can use it, it is useful, helpful; noun (U): usefulness
This bag is really useful. ◎ That's a useful idea. ◎ The map you drew was very helpful in finding this place.
- if sth is useful or easy to use, it is handy
This is a very handy little book that lists all the tourist information offices.
- if sb/sth is very useful, it is valuable; noun (U): value
valuable advice
- to be useful: be of use (to sb)
If this old bike is of any use to you, you can have it.
- to be possibly useful at some time: come* in useful, come* in handy
I keep all my old newspapers - you never know when they might come in handy.
- if sth is useful or satisfying enough to be worth the cost or effort, it is worthwhile, worth your/sb's while, (informal) worth it (not before a noun)
Before you buy that printer it might be worth your while to have a look at some other models.
※—† not useful
- not useful: useless, (of) no use, no good; noun (U): uselessness
I felt so useless while my wife was giving birth. ◎ Throw out that chair - it's no use to anyone. ◎ This heater's no good. I'll have to buy a new one.
- an action or event which is not useful: waste of time
I thought the course was a complete waste of time - I learnt absolutely nothing.
- if you do sth that has no effect or result it is futile, ineffective; noun (U): futility
Our attempts to stop the ants coming into the house were futile.
- if sth has no purpose, it is pointless, useless, there is no point in it
This is a pointless argument. ◎ It's useless to argue with her. ◎ There's no point in waiting here. Let's go home.
- if a thing is not used because it is out of date, it is obsolete
Typewriters are becoming obsolete now that more and more people have personal computers.
- no longer needed: redundant
This machine is redundant now that we have bought a new one.

2 suitable
- right for a particular purpose, occasion or person: right (for sth/sb), suitable (for sth/sb) (adverb suitably), appropriate (for sth/sb) (adverb appropriately)
I don't think this actor is right for the part. ◎ I'm afraid this isn't the right place to talk about it. ◎ Is this a suitable card to give to your mother? ◎ I think the police acted very appropriately.
- the quality of being right or suitable: suitability
- suitable according to normal customs and ideas: correct (adverb correctly)
correct behaviour/manners/dress
- suitable, right or correct: proper (only before a noun) (adverb properly)
You should wear proper walking boots when you go hillwalking. ◎ If you don't sit properly you'll get a bad back.
- not suitable: wrong (for sth/sb), unsuitable (for sth/sb) (adverb unsuitably), inappropriate (to/for sth/sb) (adverb inappropriately)
This is the wrong course for me - I want something more practical. ◎ His clothes were quite unsuitable for a formal reception. ◎ an inappropriate speech for a wedding
- a person or thing that does not belong in a particular situation is out of place
My father looked terribly out of place at the pop concert.
- if sth gives you the result that you want, it works, it is effective
'Have you got something to clean the oven?' 'Yes, but it doesn't work very well.' ◎ This cream is very effective against mosquito bites.
- suitable for a particular purpose: practical, functional
Plastic tablecloths are very practical, but they don't look very nice.
- suitable for many different uses: all-purpose (only before a noun)
an all-purpose knife
- good enough for some purpose: fit for sth/sb, fit to do sth; opposite: unfit for sth/sb, unfit to do sth
With so little experience, I don't think he is really fit for the job. ◎ This food is unfit to be eaten.
- if sth is what you need, it serves its purpose
It's an old television but it serves its purpose.
- to be good enough to be used: do* (for/as sth)
I haven't got a screwdriver - will this knife do?
- suitable to be used together or to live together: compatible; opposite: incompatible
Is my computer compatible with yours? ◎ Although they shared some interests, they were basically incompatible.
- the quality of being compatible: compatibility (noun U); opposite: incompatibility (noun U)
- suitable or practical for a particular purpose; not causing difficulty: convenient (adverb conveniently); opposite: inconvenient (adverb inconveniently)
When would it be convenient to phone? ◎ Have I called at an inconvenient moment?
- to be convenient for sb/sth: suit (sb/sth)
Would three o'clock on Monday suit you?
- the quality of being convenient: convenience (noun U); opposite: inconvenience (noun U)
※—† the right size, colour, etc
- to be the right size or shape for sb/sth: fit (sb/sth)
These shoes don't fit properly - they're too tight. ◎ Do you think this rug would fit in our sitting room?
- to be the same colour as sth else: match (sth)
That skirt matches your blouse very nicely.
- to look good on sb: suit sb
Those trousers really suit you.
- to look or taste good with sth else: go* with sth, go* together
I think green curtains would go well with the carpet. ◎ Do those pictures really go together?