English Explanatory Dictionary

futile

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Incapable of producing results, useless; doomed not to be successful; not worth attempting.
  2. Insignificant; frivolous.

Pronunciation

/ˈfjuː.taɪl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-futile.wav /ˈfju.taɪl/ /ˈfju.təl/ [ˈfju.ɾəl]

Word forms

futile more futile most futile

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis.

Synonyms

useless bootless barren futile fruitless gainless idle inane ineffectual inefficacious inutile no good otiose pointless profitless purposeless tired unavailing unprofitable unuseful unutilizable vain void

Antonyms

effectual effective fruitful worthwhile gainful profitable productive purposeful useful utilizable

Related words

futilely futility futilitarian

Derived words

futileness unfutile
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