Literary notes about meaningful (AI summary)
In literature, "meaningful" is used to convey both a tangible and an abstract sense of significance. It characterizes subtle nonverbal exchanges—such as glances that speak volumes without words ([1], [2])—while also imbuing broader themes and experiences with deeper importance. Authors use the term to elevate everyday acts or moments, whether it’s the transformative role of ritual in marking time and change ([3]) or the impact of music and speech that resonate on both an emotional and intellectual level ([4], [5]). In other contexts, "meaningful" emphasizes the value of deliberate actions, social interactions, or creative outputs, suggesting that beneath the surface lies a rich layer of purpose or interpretation ([6], [7]).
- The men were seen to be exchanging meaningful glances.
— from Down the Ice, and Other Winter Sports Stories by Harold M. (Harold Morrow) Sherman - Kitty exchanged meaningful glances with Dolly.
— from Anna Karenina by graf Leo Tolstoy - He still bears upon himself the marks of the cross—the marks of Lent made meaningful by Easter.
— from Nine O'Clock Talks by Frederic B. Kellogg - But it is not a question whether the music is strong, meaningful, and musicianly.
— from The Masters and Their Music A series of illustrative programs with biographical, esthetical, and critical annotations by W. S. B. (William Smythe Babcock) Mathews - Music should have a prominent place, provided it is meaningful, choice, and suggestive of the thought desired, in music as well as words.
— from The Unfolding Life A Study of Development with Reference to Religious Training by Antoinette Abernethy Lamoreaux - Look, you've trimmed some of this spending, you've embraced some meaningful change, but restoring the public trust demands more.
— from State of the Union Addresses of Barack Obama, 2009-2016 by Barack Obama - The key is moderation and balance, supported by sufficient information to allow meaningful feedback.
— from The Online World by Odd De Presno
