English Explanatory Dictionary

ineffective

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Not having the desired effect; ineffectual; otiose.
  2. Lacking in ability; incompetent or inadequate.

Pronunciation

/ˌɪn.ɪˈfɛk.tɪv/ /ˌɪn.əˈfɛk.tɪv/ /ˌɪn.əˈfek.tɪv/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Jjamesryan-ineffective.wav

Word forms

ineffective more ineffective most ineffective

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *ən- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English in- Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰ Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰs Proto-Italic *eks Latin ex Latin ef- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₁kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Latin faciō Latin efficiō Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Latin effectīvusbor. French effectifder. English effective English ineffective From in- + effective.

Synonyms

fruitless inefficacious unprofitable bootless barren futile gainless idle inane ineffectual inutile no good otiose pointless profitless purposeless tired unavailing unuseful unutilizable useless vain void incapable inept deficient insufficient amateurish backwards bad bungling clumsy ham-fisted ham-handed inapt incompetent ineffective inexpert maladroit miserable noob unable unprofessional unqualified unskillful awanting dismal exiguous geason inadequate lank lean lousy meager measly paltry poor raunchy scant scantling

Derived words

ineffectively ineffectiveness
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on I Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary