futile

/ˈfjuːtaɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfjuːtl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfyü-tᵊl ˈfyü-ˌtī(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)

futile — adjective

  • futilepositive
  • futilercomparative
  • futilestsuperlative

1. so unlikely to change the result that any time or energy spent on it is wasted.

1.形容詞C1
釋義

so unlikely to change the result that any time or energy spent on it is wasted.

例句

Felipe made one more futile phone call after the office had already closed.

futile + noun for an action that cannot work

Layla's attempt to dry the floor with one paper towel was futile.

同義詞
  • pointless

    broader and slightly more everyday; it can mean not worth doing even when success is possible

  • fruitless

    close in meaning but a little more formal, often used with searches or talks

  • useless

    wider in scope; it can describe people, objects, or advice as well as actions

反義詞
  • effective

    focuses on producing the intended result

  • worthwhile

    focuses on being worth the effort, even if success is not certain

文法句型

it is futile to + verb

futile + noun

用法筆記

Common with nouns like attempt, effort, search, and gesture. It also appears in 'it is futile to ...' when a speaker judges that an action cannot change what will happen.

常見錯誤

❌It was futile for solving the problem.
✅It was futile to try to solve the problem.
💡after futile, English usually uses 'to' + verb or a noun like 'attempt', not 'for' + -ing.