pointless
POYNT-luhs
Pointless (adj) means having no useful purpose; not worth doing. Example: “It's pointless to water the plants while it's pouring with rain.”
adj
1
Having no useful purpose; not worth doing.
"It's pointless to water the plants while it's pouring with rain."
"Arguing with him is pointless — he never changes his mind."
"It felt pointless to keep applying after so many rejections."
How to use pointless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving no purpose or use; a waste of effort.
Common pairings
pointless exercise
pointless argument
seem pointless
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more pointless
- Superlative
- most pointless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It's _____ to water the plants while it's pouring with rain.
Etymology
From point + -less, literally "without a point."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pointless” mean?
The word “pointless” means having no useful purpose; not worth doing. In plain terms, having no purpose or use; a waste of effort.
How do you pronounce “pointless”?
“Pointless” is pronounced POYNT-luhs (/ˈpɔɪntləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “pointless” in a sentence?
Here is “pointless” used in a sentence: “Arguing with him is pointless — he never changes his mind.”
What is another word for “pointless”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pointless” include blunt, dull, obtuse and point-free.
What is the opposite of “pointless”?
The opposite of “pointless” — its antonyms — are pointed, sharp, worthwhile, useful and pointful.
What part of speech is “pointless”?
“Pointless” is an adjective.
Is “pointless” a common word?
“Pointless” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between pointless and useless?
Pointless means having no useful purpose or not being worth doing, while useless means unable to produce any result or benefit. A task can be useless because it fails, and pointless because it was never worth attempting in the first place.
What is the difference between pointless and meaningless?
Pointless stresses that something serves no useful purpose or is not worth doing, while meaningless stresses that something has no significance or sense. A gesture can be pointless because it achieves nothing and meaningless because it conveys nothing.
What is the difference between pointless and futile?
Both suggest a lack of worthwhile result, but pointless means not worth doing in the first place, while futile stresses that an effort is doomed to fail despite being attempted. A futile act is tried and fails; a pointless act was not worth trying.
Is it rude to call something pointless?
Calling something pointless can sound dismissive, since it means having no useful purpose and not being worth doing. In sensitive situations, softer phrases such as 'not worth the effort' or 'unnecessary' come across as more tactful.
