ineffective

UK: /ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv/ US: /ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv/ ,(in′i fek′tiv)

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

in•ef•fec•tive /ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv/   adj. 

1. not effective:
   an ineffective air conditioner.
2. inefficient or incompetent:
   an ineffective manager.

See -fec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•ef•fec•tive  (in′i fek′tiv), adj. 

1. not effective;
   not producing results;
   ineffectual:
   ineffective efforts; ineffective remedies.
2. inefficient or incompetent;
   incapable:
   an ineffective manager.
3. lacking in artistic effect, as a literary work, theatrical production, or painting.

• in-³ + effective 1645–55

in′ef•fec′tive•ly, adv. 
in′ef•fec′tive•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ineffective / ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv/ adjective

1. having no effect
2. incompetent or inefficient

ˌinefˈfectively adverb

ˌinefˈfectiveness noun