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5 dictionary results for: futile
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
fu·tile 
[fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl] Pronunciation Key
[fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl] Pronunciation Key –adjective
| 1. | incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful: Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile. |
| 2. | trifling; frivolous; unimportant. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| fu·tile
(fyōōt'l, fyōō'tīl') Pronunciation Key
adj.
[Latin fūtilis; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.] fu'tile·ly adv., fu'tile·ness n. Synonyms: These adjectives mean producing no result or effect: a futile effort; a barren search; bootless entreaties; fruitless labors; an unavailing attempt; a useless discussion; vain regrets. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
futile
futile
c.1555, from M.Fr. futile, from L. futilis "vain, worthless, futile," lit. "pouring out easily" (of a vessel), hence "easily emptied, leaky, unreliable," from base of fundere "pour, melt," from PIE *gheu- "to pour" (see found (2)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| futile | |
adjective | |
| 1. | producing no result or effect; "a futile effort"; "the therapy was ineffectual"; "an otiose undertaking"; "an unavailing attempt" |
| 2. | unproductive of success; "a fruitless search"; "futile years after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain attempt" [syn: bootless] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Futile
Fu"tile\ (?; 277), a. [L. futilis that easily pours out, that easily lets loose, vain, worthless, from the root of fundere to pour out: cf. F. futile. See Fuse, v. t.]1. Talkative; loquacious; tattling. [Obs.] Talkers and futile persons. --Bacon. 2. Of no importance; answering no useful end; useless; vain; worthless. "Futile theories." --I. Taylor. His reasoning . . . was singularly futile. --Macaulay.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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