futile
[ fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl ]
/ ˈfyut l, ˈfyu taɪl /
adjective
incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful: Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.
trifling; frivolous; unimportant.
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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
synonym study for futile
1. See useless.
OTHER WORDS FROM futile
fu·tile·ly, adverbfu·tile·ness, nounnon·fu·tile, adjectiveun·fu·tile, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for futile
British Dictionary definitions for futile
futile
/ (ˈfjuːtaɪl) /
adjective
having no effective result; unsuccessful
pointless; unimportant; trifling
inane or foolishdon't be so futile!
Derived forms of futile
futilely, adverbfutileness, nounWord Origin for futile
C16: from Latin futtilis pouring out easily, worthless, from fundere to pour out
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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