futile

futile, trivial

adjective fy-TEEL Rare

Origin: Latin 'futilis' (leaky, worthless)

Usage Note

Futile is an invariable adjective in terms of ending — it does not change for gender (the feminine is also futile). It describes something trivially pointless; the related noun la futilité means 'futility' or 'triviality'. Do not confuse with English 'fertile', which is fertile in French.

Examples

"Cette dispute me semble tout à fait futile."

Natural Translation

This argument seems completely futile to me.

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