Word
futile
Phoneticsfu·tile, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfjutəɫ/
UK/fjˈuːtaɪl/
Definitions
01useless or doomed to fail
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having no chance of success; a waste of time because it will not work.
adj. incapable of producing a desired result; pointlessly ineffective or doomed to failure.
“It was futile to try and keep the sand out of the tent during the storm.”
“The rescue team realized that further searching was futile given the deteriorating weather conditions and the lack of survival equipment.”
Usage
Often follows 'it is' or 'it proved' to describe an attempt or effort.
Antonyms
02frivolous or trivial
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. not important or not serious; silly.
adj. lacking in importance, substance, or seriousness; frivolous in nature.
“They spent the afternoon in futile talk about celebrities instead of working.”
“The judge dismissed the case, describing the plaintiff's arguments as futile and a waste of the court's time.”
Teaching tip
This sense is less common than the 'useless' sense; in modern English, 'frivolous' is usually preferred for this meaning.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“City started to showboat as AEK realised resistance was futile.” Etymology
From Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/futile