inutile

American  

[in-yoo-til] / ɪnˈyu tɪl /

adjective

1. of no use or service.

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inutile British  

/ ɪnˈjuːtaɪl, ˌɪnjuːˈtɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

1. rare useless; unprofitable

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Other Word Forms

• inutilely adverb
• inutility noun

Etymology

Origin of inutile

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word inūtilis. See in- ³, utile

Example Sentences

Within the chromosomes, a defective gene may fail in its function because a single fraction of its nucleic acid molecule is aberrant and inutile.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Dans le plus rude hiver j'ai le dos toujours nu: Et, quoique fort commode, � peine m'a-t-on vu, Qu'ausit�t n�glig�, je deviens inutile."

From Women of Modern France (Illustrated) Woman: In all ages and in all countries Vol. 7 (of 10) by Hugo Paul Thieme

Incipiente ictu qui vim non prompserit omnem   Dique hominesque odere; hic, pondus inutile cymbae,   Tardat iter; comites necat; hunc tu, nauta, caveto!

From Sagittulae, Random Verses by Bowling, Edward Woodley

He should use as by right and from instinct the material which lay inutile at her woman’s disposal.

From When Winter Comes to Main Street by Overton, Grant Martin

The study of life at a distance is inutile; the study of it at close range is defective.

From The Book of Khalid by Rihani, Ameen Fares