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

• futileness noun
• futilely adverb
• 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

Churchill disagreed—believing such schemes were futile and ineffective—as did many across the political spectrum.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing," Israel's foreign ministry said.

Read more on BBC

But in its exhausting pursuit of technical perfection, “The Smashing Machine” merely mirrors its subject’s journey, losing sight of its goal for a futile shot at glory.

Read more on Salon

"We are concerned that futile political gestures will only antagonise the government and frustrate punters instead of delivering a solution to a shared challenge facing both racing and betting."

Read more on BBC

Though it may feel futile, Mayor Karen Bass is encouraging residents to beautify the streets for the 2028 Olympics, and joined Mather at a cleanup event in Sherman Oaks earlier this year.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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