noun
-
lack of effectiveness or success
-
lack of purpose or meaning
-
something futile
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
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!
"Shooting an Elephant" by George Orwell
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 Adventures of Tom Sawyer
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.
See Examples For:
Some might find it humanizing—proof that below the bloviating gestalt, the president can become awed by existential futility.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
Korda, the daughter of former Australian Open tennis champion Petr Korda, has a history of alternating between indomitability and total futility.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 5, 2026
Our attention pivots to the futility of this self-described “little guy” trying to get someone with clout to take him seriously.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2026
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
“The question you asked me,” Jerry countered but knowing the futility of it.
From "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier
But in nominating one as secretary of state and the other as defense secretary, President Obama hopes to bring to his administration two veterans with the same sensibility about the futilities of war.
From New York Times ● Jan. 8, 2013
There's something about the way Wallinger composes apparent futilities with such systematic earnestness that is in itself convincing.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 22, 2012
South China Sea Pishkun is a remarkable digital animation by Vietnamese artist Dinh Q Lê that tackles the grim futilities of warfare with an almost hallucinatory metaphorical force.
From The Guardian ● Jan. 22, 2011
Collectively the correspondents tore their hair over the futilities of the M.O.I.
From Time Magazine Archive
In this world of futilities that is much, and very much, perhaps all that can be asked of man with his dim vision.
From Naples Past and Present by Arthur H. Norway
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.
