'meaningful' originates from the English word 'meaning' combined with the suffix '-ful', where 'meaning' meant 'the thing one intends to convey' and '-ful' meant 'full of'.

'meaning' changed from the Old English word 'mǣning' and eventually became the modern English word 'meaningful'.

Initially, it meant 'full of meaning or significance', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.