adjective
Uncommon
futile
FYOO-tyl
Futile (adjective) means producing no useful result; pointless or doomed to fail. Example: “It was futile to argue with him once he'd made up his mind.”
adjective
1
Producing no useful result; pointless or doomed to fail.
"It was futile to argue with him once he'd made up his mind."
"Their attempts to stop the flooding proved futile."
How to use futile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoomed not to work — trying anyway won't change the outcome.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with fertile (able to produce or grow things) — the words look and sound similar but mean opposite kinds of things.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a futile attempt
futile effort
prove futile
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more futile
- Superlative
- most futile
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was _____ to argue with him once he'd made up his mind.
Etymology
From Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis, "leaky, worthless."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for futile
See all rhymes for futile →Frequently asked questions
What does “futile” mean?
The word “futile” means producing no useful result; pointless or doomed to fail. In plain terms, doomed not to work — trying anyway won't change the outcome.
How do you pronounce “futile”?
“Futile” is pronounced FYOO-tyl (/ˈfju.taɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “futile” in a sentence?
Here is “futile” used in a sentence: “It was futile to argue with him once he'd made up his mind.”
What is another word for “futile”?
Words with a similar meaning to “futile” include useless, bootless, barren, fruitless, gainless and idle.
What is the opposite of “futile”?
The opposite of “futile” — its antonyms — are effectual, effective, fruitful, worthwhile and gainful.
What part of speech is “futile”?
“Futile” is an adjective.
Where does the word “futile” come from?
The word “futile” comes from Latin. From Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis, "leaky, worthless.".
Is “futile” a common word?
“Futile” is an uncommon word in modern English.
