[fu.tile] adj [MF or L; MF, fr. L futilis brittle, pointless, prob. fr. fu- (akin to fundere to pour)--more at found] (ca. 1555) 1: serving no useful purpose: completely ineffective "efforts to convince him were ~"
2: occupied with trifles: frivolous -- fu.tile.ly adv -- fu.tile.ness n syn futile, vain, fruitless mean producing no result. futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking "resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left". vain usu. implies simple failure to achieve a desired result "a vain attempt to get the car started". fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment "fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace".