Futile
/ˈfjuːtɪl/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Futile describes situations, actions, or efforts that do not work or do not achieve what is wanted. It means trying something will not help or make a difference. When something is futile, it is a waste of time or energy because it will not produce success.
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See It in Action
Describing actions or efforts that will not succeed
- •It was futile to argue with him because he had already made up his mind.
- •Trying to fix the broken machine without the right tools is futile.
- •Their attempts to change the weather were futile.
Describing situations with no hope or chance of success
- •The rescue mission was futile after the storm destroyed the area.
- •She felt her efforts were futile when no one listened to her advice.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "futile" like "no use," but stronger—it means trying will not work at all, no matter what you do
- ✓Picture pushing a heavy door that is locked tight and will not open no matter how hard you push
- ✓It's the feeling when you try very hard but nothing changes, and you feel a little sad or frustrated
- ✓Sounds like "few-till" → imagine you have only a few seeds to plant, but the ground is so bad that nothing will grow (so planting is useless)
- ✓Think of a story where a hero tries to save a lost cause but fails because the problem is too big or impossible
- ✓NOT like "difficult" (which means hard but possible), "futile" means no chance of success
- ✓NOT like "waste" (which means using something badly), "futile" means the action itself cannot produce results
- ✓NOT like "fail" (which means not succeed after trying), "futile" means trying will not even lead to success, so it is pointless to try
Try Other Words
- •Pointless: having no meaning or purpose (Use when something has no reason or value)
- •Hopeless: having no chance of success (Use when a situation cannot be helped)
- •Vain: producing no result after effort (Use when emphasizing disappointment after trying)
- •Ineffective: not producing the desired effect (Use when something does not work well enough)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix, root from Latin)
- •Etymology: From Latin "futilis," meaning easily poured out or worthless
- •Historical development: Originally about something that leaks or cannot hold water, later used for useless or unsuccessful efforts
- •Modern usage: Used to describe actions or attempts that have no chance to succeed or produce results
- •Key insight: The word connects to the idea of something that cannot hold or keep value, like water that leaks away
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you felt an effort was futile? What did you do next?
•How do you decide when to stop trying something because it is futile?
Fill in the blanks
1.It was futile to ___ against the strong wind because it kept pushing everything back.
2.When an effort is futile, people often feel ___ and stop trying.
3.Unlike difficult tasks, futile actions have no ___ of success no matter how hard you try.
4.Saying sorry again and again became futile because the problem was too big to fix.
5.People often say "futile attempt" when the effort is ___ from the start.
6.The team realized their plan was futile and decided to ___ a new strategy.
7.When you see a futile situation, you can usually ___ that continuing will not help.