futile
UK: ˈfjuː.taɪl | US: ˈfjuː.t̬əl
adj. incapable of producing any useful result; pointless
adj. (archaic) trifling or frivolous
futile = futil<vain, useless> + ile<adjective suffix>
- futil (from Latin futilis "leaky, unreliable," later "vain, useless")
- ile (adjective-forming suffix, from Latin -ilis)
Etymology Origin:
The word futile traces back to Latin futilis, originally meaning "leaky" (as in a vessel that cannot hold liquid). Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe actions or efforts that "leak away" without achieving anything—hence its modern sense of "useless" or "pointless." The suffix -ile turns it into an adjective, reinforcing its descriptive nature.
Their attempts to revive the failing business proved futile.
Arguing with him is futile; he never changes his mind.
The search party's efforts were futile—the missing hiker was never found.
She dismissed his apology as a futile gesture.
Without proper funding, the project is doomed to be futile.