German word

bedeutsam

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈdɔɪ̯tzaːm/

Meaning

  • adjectivemeaningful

Example

Das war ein bedeutsamer Schritt.

That was a meaningful step.

Illustration for bedeutsam (meaningful)

More examples

Für viele Menschen war das Urteil historisch bedeutsam.

For many people, the verdict was historically significant.

Core concept

A marked event leaves a substantial mark on the result, giving it significance beyond its immediate appearance.

Common phrases

  • eine bedeutsame Rolle spielen

    play an important role

  • historisch bedeutsam

    historically significant

  • für die persönliche Entwicklung bedeutsam

    important for personal development

Similar words

wichtig: Important in ordinary situations and needed for a particular purpose.
relevant: Closely connected to the matter at hand and worthy of attention.
bedeutend: Having major influence or value, especially in formal contexts or over time.
wesentlich: Forming an essential part of something and central to its core.

Definition in German

Von erheblicher Bedeutung für den Ausgang oder die Beurteilung einer Sache; nicht nur wichtig, sondern folgenreich.

Word origin

Bedeutsam belongs to the word family of bedeuten and Bedeutung, with -sam forming an adjective that denotes the relevant quality.

Usage tips

  • Bedeutsam is normally written in lowercase as an adjective, with regular endings such as bedeutsame Entscheidung and bedeutsamen Schritt.

Other meanings

  • importantadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Bedeutsamkeitsignificancenoun
  • bedeutsamerweiseimportantlyadverb

Word lists with this word