Vegetables and fruits are healthy. Or is it healthful? Somewhere, back in the deep, dark recesses of my mind, I think I remember learning the distinction between healthy and healthful. However, I've been confused by their usage for years now, so I think it's finally time for me to figure it out.
After consulting Grammar Girl, American Heritage Dictionary, and the Merriam-Webster dictionary, here's the bottom line - healthy is okay to use in all circumstances. Healthful is used only to mean conducive to good health. Healthy can be used as a synonym for healthful as well as a healthy person.
Do you learn to make a distinction between healthy and healthful?
I think you just made my head spin. I'm sticking with healthy. I wouldn't want to strain my brain. ;)
ReplyDeleteI wrote and rewrote this trying to make sense. I'm not sure I succeeded, but the important take away for me is it's okay to use healthy instead of healthful. I did have my son read it and he said it all made sense to him.
DeleteYou made sense! I had never thought about the difference between the words before and I started to confuse myself in thinking about it, so I decided to go with the easy solution.
DeleteI have thought about the difference because every time I see someone use the word healthful, I think I must be doing something wrong because I don't use it. With this post I finally put my mind at ease.
DeleteI have not used the word "healthful" in a long time.
ReplyDeleteMe, either. This is another example of how language changes overtime. Sometimes new uses drive me crazy, but not this time.
DeleteI learned it as "healthy" describes anything in a good state of health and "healthful" describes anything that promotes good health. But, it's good to know that I can use "healthy" interchangeably with "healthful", without worrying too much about it. :)
ReplyDeleteThat was the distinction that was made for a while, but apparently it's not necessary now. I figured that you would know the difference since you weren't "born" with English and had to learn it. People who have to formally learn another language often know the proper use of it better than someone who has heard it since birth.
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