futile

The definition of futile is something that won't succeed or is unimportant.

(adjective)

An example of futile is someone trying to stop a plane that has already left the ground.

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See futile in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

    1. that could not succeed; useless; vain
    2. lacking vigor or purpose; inept or ineffective
  1. trifling or unimportant

Origin: < Fr or L: Fr futile < L futilis, lit., that easily pours out, hence untrustworthy, worthless, futile < base of fundere: see found

Related Forms:

See futile in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Having no useful result.
  2. Trifling and frivolous; idle: the futile years after her artistic peak.

Origin:

Origin: Latin fūtilis; see gheu- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • fuˈtile·ly adverb
  • fuˈtile·ness noun

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