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futile

 - 3 dictionary results

fu⋅tile

  [fyoot-l, fyoo-tahyl]
Use futile in a Sentence
–adjective
1. incapable of producing any result; ineffective; useless; not successful: Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.
2. trifling; frivolous; unimportant.
Origin:
1545–55; < L fūtilis, futtilis easily broken, vain, worthless, equiv. to fūt- (akin to fundere to pour, melt) + -ilis -ile

Related forms:
fu⋅tile⋅ly, adverb
fu⋅tile⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. See useless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To futile
fu·tile   (fyōōt'l, fyōō'tīl')   
adj.  

  1. Having no useful result.

  2. Trifling and frivolous; idle: the futile years after her artistic peak.


[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.
Antonym: useful
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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
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