purposeless

[ pur-puhs-lis ]

adjective

1. having no purpose or apparent meaning.
2. having no aim or goal; aimless:

   to lead a purposeless existence.

purposeless

/ ˈpɜːpəslɪs /

adjective

1. having no fixed plan or intention

Derived Forms

• ˈpurposelessly, adverb
• ˈpurposelessness, noun

Other Words From

• purpose·less·ly adverb
• purpose·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of purposeless¹

First recorded in 1545–55; purpose + -less

Example Sentences

The key to getting into this state seemed to be the purposeless way in which the day unfolded.

From Popular-Science

I watched another three episodes, thinking it might just be a slow start—but no, the amiable, purposeless loafing continues.

From The Daily Beast

Early critics called it "a strange, inartistic story" with "purposeless power."

From The Daily Beast

Early critics called it 'a strange, inartistic story' with 'purposeless power.'

From The Daily Beast

This motion consists almost wholly in apparently purposeless lashing and coiling movements, and continues for many hours.

From Project Gutenberg

His mind with all its sternness ever tended to clemency, and his constitutional prudence, or measure, forbade purposeless excess.

From Project Gutenberg

I am sure that the English soldiers, thoughtless though they may be, would not stoop to this sort of purposeless outrage.

From Project Gutenberg

A cynical, purposeless, brooding life he must live to his last day: there was no healing in all the world for his despair.

From Project Gutenberg

As he advanced he perceived that the church grew in size, but to him that deceptive harmony seemed purposeless, reprehensible.

From Project Gutenberg