US /ˈfjutəl/ UK /ˈfjuːtaɪl/
adj

Meanings

  1. 1
    adj

    incapable of producing any useful result; pointless

    It was futile to argue with such a stubborn man.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adj · incapable of producing any... pointlessuselessvainfruitlessineffectualunavailingabortive
Word family
Forms futilely
Derived forms futilityfutilely

Etymology

From Latin 'futilis' ('leaky, vain, worthless'), literally 'that easily pours out', from 'fundere' ('to pour').

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Topics

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