futility

American  

[fyoo-til-i-tee] / fyuˈtɪl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

futilities

1. the quality of being futile; ineffectiveness; uselessness.

2. a trifle or frivolity.

   the large collection of futilities that clutter our minds.

3. a futile act or event.

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futility British  

/ fjuːˈtɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of effectiveness or success

2. lack of purpose or meaning

3. something futile

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Etymology

Origin of futility

From the Latin word fūtilitās, dating back to 1615–25. See futile, -ity

Example Sentences

As a goal, it almost seems reasonable, which makes it all the funnier that it takes on an air of Beckettian futility.

From The Wall Street Journal

“They have no one to blame but themselves for their futility,” said Grant Napear, the television voice of the Kings for 32 years and now a sports talk host in Sacramento.

From Los Angeles Times

“The appropriations bills, reconciliation, rescissions, all the different tools we are using. . . . It’s the end of futility,” Mr. Vought says in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal

Strikingly for someone with an enviable career, she is wonderfully unsparing on the futility of chasing success.

From The Wall Street Journal

Our attention pivots to the futility of this self-described “little guy” trying to get someone with clout to take him seriously.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• emptiness
• ineffectiveness