noun
futility
fyoo-TIH-lih-tee
Futility (noun) means the state of being useless or unable to produce a result. Example: “He eventually recognized the futility of fighting the decision.”
noun
1
The state of being useless or unable to produce a result.
"He eventually recognized the futility of fighting the decision."
"There's a sense of futility in trying to change his mind."
2
A pointless act or effort.
"Sending another email felt like an exercise in futility."
How to use futility
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe pointlessness of doing something that has no real chance of working.
Common pairings
sense of futility
exercise in futility
the futility of something
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Word forms
- Plural
- futilities
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He eventually recognized the _____ of fighting the decision.
Etymology
From Latin fūtilitās ("worthlessness"); by form, it reads as futile + -ity.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for futility
See all rhymes for futility →Frequently asked questions
What does “futility” mean?
The word “futility” means the state of being useless or unable to produce a result. In plain terms, the pointlessness of doing something that has no real chance of working.
How do you pronounce “futility”?
“Futility” is pronounced fyoo-TIH-lih-tee (/fjuˈtɪləti/ in IPA).
How do you use “futility” in a sentence?
Here is “futility” used in a sentence: “He eventually recognized the futility of fighting the decision.”
What part of speech is “futility”?
“Futility” is a noun.
Where does the word “futility” come from?
The word “futility” comes from Latin. From Latin fūtilitās ("worthlessness"); by form, it reads as futile + -ity.
How many meanings does “futility” have?
“Futility” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of being useless or unable to produce a result.
