Word
fruitless
Phoneticsfruit·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹutɫəs/
UK/fɹˈuːtləs/
Definition
adj. failing to produce any useful results. You use this to describe work or efforts that do not achieve what you wanted.
adj. producing no useful or desired results; unsuccessful or unproductive. Often describes abstract efforts, searches, or discussions.
Examples
“The search for the missing keys was fruitless.”
“After hours of fruitless negotiation, both sides left the meeting without reaching an agreement.”
“The scientists spent years on a fruitless quest for a cure before a sudden breakthrough in a different field changed their entire approach.”
Examples
simple
“The search for the missing keys was fruitless.”
contextual
“After hours of fruitless negotiation, both sides left the meeting without reaching an agreement.”
complex
“The scientists spent years on a fruitless quest for a cure before a sudden breakthrough in a different field changed their entire approach.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb like 'prove' or 'remain' (e.g., 'the search proved fruitless').
Real-World Examples
“Many scientists believed hers was a fruitless endeavour because ribosomes are so small – sometimes only 20 nanometres in diameter – irregular in shape and lacking internal symmetry.” “They told McFadden about long periods of fruitless jobhunting.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English fruytles; equivalent to fruit + -less. Compare Middle English withouten fruyt (“fruitless”, literally “without fruit”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/fruitless