futility

UK: /fjuːˈtɪlɪti/ US: /fjuˈtɪlɪti/ ,(fyo̅o̅ til′i tē)

Inflections of 'futility' (n): npl: futilities

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fu•til•i•ty  (fyo̅o̅ til′i tē), n., pl. -ties for 2, 3.

1. the quality of being futile;
   ineffectiveness;
   uselessness.
2. a trifle or frivolity:
   the large collection of futilities that clutter our minds.
3. a futile act or event.

• Latin fūtilitās. See futile, -ity
• 1615–25

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

futility / fjuːˈtɪlɪtɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. lack of effectiveness or success
2. lack of purpose or meaning
3. something futile

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fu•tile /ˈfyutəl, ˈfyutaɪl/   adj. 

1. unable to produce any result; ineffective:
   Attempts to swim across the stormy channel were futile.
2. trifling;
   frivolous;
   of little value:
   futile remarks.

fu•tile•ly, adv. 
fu•til•i•ty /fyuˈtɪlɪti/  n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fu•tile  (fyo̅o̅t′l, fyo̅o̅′tīl), adj. 

1. incapable of producing any result;
   ineffective;
   useless;
   not successful:
   Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.
2. trifling;
   frivolous;
   unimportant.

• Latin fūtilis, futtilis easily broken, vain, worthless, equivalent. to fūt- (akin to fundere to pour, melt) + -ilis -ile
• 1545–55

fu′tile•ly, adv. 
fu′tile•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See useless.