Basic Details
Word: Futile
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Something that is useless or has no purpose.
Synonyms: Pointless, fruitless, ineffective
Antonyms: Useful, effective, worthwhile
Idioms and Phrases
- Futile attempt: An effort that is unlikely to succeed. Example: "His futile attempt to fix the old car only made things worse."
- Futile exercise: An activity that does not bring any results. Example: "Trying to reason with her was a futile exercise."
Usage Examples
Example 1: It was futile to argue with him because he always believed he was right.
Example 2: The team's futile efforts to win the match ended in disappointment.
Example 3: She realised that it was futile to keep waiting for a response that would never come.
Fun Fact
The word "futile" comes from the Latin word "futilis," meaning "leaky" or "easily poured out," which metaphorically suggests that efforts or actions with no success are like water that just flows away.
Famous Quote
"It is a futile thing to have the needs of human nature wrought of dust." - Paul Valry
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "futile" mean?
a) Very useful
b) Having an important purpose
c) Useless or pointless
d) Easy to achieve
Answer: c) Useless or pointless
2. Which of these is a synonym of "futile"?
a) Effective
b) Pointless
c) Valuable
d) Successful
Answer: b) Pointless
3. Which word is an antonym of "futile"?
a) Useless
b) Worthwhile
c) Nonsense
d) Trivial
Answer: b) Worthwhile
4. Which sentence uses "futile" correctly?
a) The students worked on their project with a futile spirit.
b) The futile efforts were rewarded with great success.
c) She realised her futile attempts to win were exhausting.
d) His futile work was celebrated by everyone.
Answer: c) She realised her futile attempts to win were exhausting.
5. What does the idiom "futile attempt" mean?
a) A successful effort
b) A pointless effort
c) A brave effort
d) A complicated effort
Answer: b) A pointless effort
