French word

inutilité

Pronunciation

IPA/inytilite/

Meaning

  • feminine nounfutility

Example

Je sens l'inutilité de mes efforts.

I feel the futility of my efforts.

Illustration for inutilité (futility)

More examples

On se rend parfois compte de l'inutilité d'une tâche.

Sometimes you realize the futility of a task.

Core concept

A road that leads nowhere, leaving effort or an object with no practical use.

Common phrases

  • se rendre compte de l'inutilité

    realize the futility of ___

  • l'inutilité de la situation

    the futility of the situation

Similar words

gaspillage: The wasteful use of time, resources, or money.
inefficacité: The failure of a method or means to produce the expected effect.

Definition in French

Caractère ou état de ce qui n'apporte aucun résultat utile et reste sans utilité.

Word origin

French inutilité comes from Latin inutilitas, formed from inutilis, 'not useful', with the abstract noun ending -ité.

Usage tips

  • Inutilité is an abstract, formal noun, while everyday French more often uses c'est inutile or ça ne sert à rien.

Other meanings

  • pointlessnessnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word