adjective
ineffectual
ih-nih-FEHKT-shoo-uhl
Ineffectual (adjective) means failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much. Example: “The committee's response to the crisis was slow and ineffectual.”
adjective
1
Failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much.
"The committee's response to the crisis was slow and ineffectual."
"His apology felt ineffectual and did nothing to repair the friendship."
2
Weak or indecisive in character; lacking force of personality.
"She came across as an ineffectual leader who avoided tough decisions."
How to use ineffectual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot getting anything done, or lacking the backbone to make things happen.
Common mistake
Often used specifically about a person's weak, wishy-washy manner, not just a failed action — that personal, character sense is where it differs slightly from ineffective.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ineffectual
- Superlative
- most ineffectual
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The committee's response to the crisis was slow and _____.
Etymology
From in- + effectual, from Latin effectus, "accomplished."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for ineffectual
See all rhymes for ineffectual →Frequently asked questions
What does “ineffectual” mean?
The word “ineffectual” means failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much. In plain terms, not getting anything done, or lacking the backbone to make things happen.
How do you pronounce “ineffectual”?
“Ineffectual” is pronounced ih-nih-FEHKT-shoo-uhl (/ˌɪnəˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ineffectual” in a sentence?
Here is “ineffectual” used in a sentence: “The committee's response to the crisis was slow and ineffectual.”
What part of speech is “ineffectual”?
“Ineffectual” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ineffectual” come from?
The word “ineffectual” comes from Latin. From in- + effectual, from Latin effectus, "accomplished.".
How many meanings does “ineffectual” have?
“Ineffectual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: failing to produce the desired effect; not achieving much.
