futile

[fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl]

adjective

1. incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful.

   Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.

2. trifling; frivolous; unimportant.

futile

/ ˈfjuːtaɪl /

adjective

1. having no effective result; unsuccessful

2. pointless; unimportant; trifling

3. inane or foolish

   don't be so futile!

Other Word Forms

• futilely adverb
• futileness noun
• nonfutile adjective
• unfutile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of futile¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin fūtilis, futtilis “easily broken, vain, worthless,” equivalent to fūt- (akin to fundere “to pour, melt”) + -ilis -ile

Word History and Origins

Origin of futile¹

C16: from Latin futtilis pouring out easily, worthless, from fundere to pour out

Synonym Study

See useless.

Example Sentences

Deciding whether reclaiming some online privacy is important, frivolous or futile is up to you.

Read more on Salon

“I quite agree, Alexander,” Penelope said, making a final, futile effort to read the map before putting it away.

Read more on Literature

It is a stupid, futile gesture that only lends credence to the idea that the media is protecting him.

Read more on Salon

Doctors can refuse treatment if they consider a woman’s chances very poor or futile, but they need to offer options, including referrals to another doctor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"They think that these restrictions can affect my position, and make me confess my guilt. But such efforts are futile."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• fruitless 
• hollow 
• impractical 
• ineffective 
• ineffectual 
• insufficient 
• trivial 
• unproductive 
• unprofitable 
• unsuccessful 
• useless 
• vain 
• worthless