ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pointless

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈpɔɪntɫəs// UK //pˈɔɪntləs// point·less Vulgar

adj. having no clear purpose or reason. You use this to describe an action or situation that feels like a waste of time because it will not achieve anything.

adj. devoid of meaning, purpose, or practical utility. Often used to describe activities that are perceived as futile or redundant.


SIMPLE

It is pointless to argue with someone who will not listen.

CONTEXTUAL

The meeting felt pointless because the manager had already made the final decision before we arrived.

COMPLEX

Critics argued that the new regulations were entirely pointless, as they failed to address the underlying economic issues that caused the crisis in the first place.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English pointles, poynteles, poyntlees. By surface analysis, point + -less.

Usage

Typically functions as a predicative adjective after 'be' or 'feel', or as an attributive adjective before a noun.

© 2026 English Reference