Futile: Definition, Usage, and Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：pointless (futile)

futile 🔊

/ˈfjuːtaɪl/

adj.

Describing an action or effort that has no chance of success and will not lead to any good result.

Futile effort pushing against immovable stone wall

pointless 🔊

➕

/ˈpɔɪntlɪs/

adj.

Describing an action or effort that has no chance of success and will not lead to any good result.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'futilis' (leaky, vain), from 'fundere' (to pour).

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'few tile' — trying to finish a mosaic with too few tiles is futile.

📖 Example

We tried every password to open the old phone, but it was futile; it seemed to be completely dead. 🔊 We tried every password to open the old phone, but it was futile; it seemed to be completely dead.

🔗 Collocations

futile attempt – an attempt that has no chance of success

futile effort – an effort that produces no useful result

futile gesture – a symbolic action that cannot change the outcome

🔄 Synonyms

useless (adj.) – serving no practical purpose; not effective

vain (adj.) – producing no result; unsuccessful

fruitless (adj.) – failing to achieve the desired results; unproductive

🚫 Antonyms

effective (adj.) – successful in producing a desired or intended result

productive (adj.) – achieving significant results or benefits

useful (adj.) – able to be used for a practical purpose; helpful

🌱 Derivatives

futility (n.) – the quality of being futile; pointlessness

futilely (adv.) – in a way that produces no result

📖 Cultural Story

Originally described a leaky vessel that spills water uselessly. Roman poets used it metaphorically for wasted effort, a meaning that survived into modern English.