inutile
/i'nju:til/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not useful or serving no practical purpose; ineffective: Describes something that lacks utility or fails to achieve its intended function, rendering it worthless for practical use.
Usage
The adjective "inutile" is a formal term used to describe objects, efforts, or actions that are completely without use or value. It emphasizes a total lack of effectiveness. - It is typically used in more formal, literary, or academic contexts rather than everyday conversation. - It can describe both concrete objects and abstract concepts (e.g., plans, arguments).
Examples
- The old, broken machinery was deemed inutile and was sent for scrap.
- After the software update, the previous version became inutile.
- His efforts to mediate the dispute were inutile, as neither side would compromise.
Advanced Usage
- "inutile ornamentation": Decoration that serves no functional purpose.
- The architect criticized the design for its inutile ornamentation, which added cost but no value.
- "prove inutile": To be shown to be useless.
- The safety measures proved inutile against the unprecedented force of the storm.
Variants and Related Words
- Inutility (noun): The state or quality of being useless.
- The report highlighted the inutility of the proposed policy.
Synonyms
- Useless: Having no ability or capacity to be of use.
- Futile: Incapable of producing any useful result; pointless.
- Ineffective: Not producing any significant or desired effect.
- Worthless: Having no real value or use.
Antonyms
- Useful: Able to be used for a practical purpose.
- Effective: Successful in producing a desired or intended result.
- Utile (archaic/formal): Useful.
Notes on Meaning
"Inutile" is a direct synonym for "useless." Its core meaning does not change, but it carries a more formal or emphatic tone. It does not typically imply something is broken; it can describe something that is inherently without purpose or function.