noun
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lack of effectiveness or success
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lack of purpose or meaning
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something futile
Etymology
Origin of futility
From the Latin word fūtilitās, dating back to 1615–25. See futile, -ity
Explanation
When you can’t see the point in even trying, that’s the feeling of futility, the sense that no matter how much you work at it, nothing good will happen, so you might as well give up. What’s the point? That’s the question asked by anyone who senses the futility of something. The futility of war makes soldiers put down their weapons, and your father’s strict rules makes any protest an act of futility. The root word is the Latin futilis, which literally means “leaky.” Imagine pouring lemonade into a cup that has no bottom. No matter how long you pour, you’ll never get a sip because of that leaky cup. Ah, the futility!
Vocabulary lists containing futility
Born a Crime
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"Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
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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.
Meanwhile. the Indiana Pacers matched a franchise record for futility with their 12th straight defeat, falling 135-127 to the Magic in Orlando.
From Barron's • Jan. 4, 2026
For many in Rarotonga, there is a sense of futility when it comes to U.S.-China competition and deep-sea mining, even though technically the islands haven’t yet formally legalized mining.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025
Their bowlers exercising plans grounded in futility as the ball disappeared to the boundary.
From BBC • Oct. 12, 2025
These teams have combined for five losses in six games and somehow that might not fully convey their futility.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2025
If a Pogrebin is allowed to tail a human for many hours, a sense of great futility will overcome its prey, who will eventually fall into a state of lethargy and despair.
From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling
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.
