futile
Americanadjective
-
incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful.
Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.
-
trifling; frivolous; unimportant.
adjective
-
having no effective result; unsuccessful
-
pointless; unimportant; trifling
-
inane or foolish
don't be so futile!
Related Words
See useless.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of futile
First recorded in 1545–55; from Latin fūtilis, futtilis “easily broken, vain, worthless,” equivalent to fūt- (akin to fundere “to pour, melt”) + -ilis -ile
Explanation
When something fails to deliver a useful result, you can call it futile. Hopefully all the time you're spending studying vocabulary won't turn out to be futile! Futile comes from the Latin futilis, which originally meant "leaky." Although we use futile to talk about more than buckets, the image of a leaky vessel is a good illustration of the adjective. Pouring water into a leaky bucket is futile. Your exercise program will be futile if you don't stop chowing down on chocolate. Futile is fancier than its synonym useless. Other synonyms are fruitless or vain. The i can be either short (FYOO-t'l) or long (FYOO-tile).
Vocabulary lists containing futile
"The Most Dangerous Game" by Richard Connell
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
I Am Malala
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Hunger Games
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kerri Kenney-Silver, 56, is an actor and comedian known for the film “A Futile and Stupid Gesture” and TV’s “Reno 911!” and “Love.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026
Stewart introduced the audience to a new segment "The Futile Crescent" with a "Middle East Conflict Disclaimer Cam."
From Salon • Feb. 27, 2024
Futile protests can also be a delaying tactic.
From Slate • Aug. 9, 2019
On Friday 13 April the Manic Street Preachers released their 13th studio album Resistance is Futile.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2018
Futile because of the difference of age and because I could hardly expect that she could be interested in me.
From Nelka Mrs. Helen de Smirnoff Moukhanoff, 1878-1963, a Biographical Sketch by Moukhanoff, Michael
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
