adj.
Pronunciation: ' helth-f ə l also ' heltth-
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 : beneficial to health of body or mind
2 : HEALTHY <he felt incapable of looking into the girl's pretty, healthful face ― Saul Bellow>
– health · ful · ly adverb
– health · ful · ness noun
synonyms HEALTHFUL , WHOLESOME , SALUBRIOUS , SALUTARY mean favorable to the health of mind or body. HEALTHFUL implies a positive contribution to a healthy condition <a healthful diet>. WHOLESOME applies to what benefits, builds up, or sustains physically, mentally, or spiritually < wholesome foods> <the movie is wholesome family entertainment>. SALUBRIOUS applies chiefly to the helpful effects of climate or air <cool and salubrious weather>. SALUTARY describes something corrective or beneficially effective, even though it may in itself be unpleasant <a salutary warning that resulted in increased production>.