FYOO-tuhl
/ˈfjutəl/
futile is pronounced FYOO-tuhl (/ˈfjutəl/). Futile describes something that is pointless or incapable of producing any useful result. It often implies a sense of wasted effort or resources, especially when outcomes are unlikely to change despite action. The term is commonly used in formal or analytical contexts, such as discussions of strategies, arguments, or projects that are unlikely to succeed.
Futile describes something that is pointless or incapable of producing any useful result. It often implies a sense of wasted effort or resources, especially when outcomes are unlikely to change despite action. The term is commonly used in formal or analytical contexts, such as discussions of strategies, arguments, or projects that are unlikely to succeed.
"Pursuing the project again now would be futile given the budget cuts and conflicting priorities."
"The president called the negotiations futile, noting that no party was willing to compromise."
"Her attempts to persuade the committee proved futile, as they stuck to their original decision."
Pronounce as /ˈfjuː.taɪl/ in all major varieties. The first syllable has a stressed /fjuː/ with a long 'few' vowel; the second syllable is a quick /taɪ/ followed by /l/. Mouth position: lips rounded slightly for /f/ and /juː/; tongue high for the /j/ and /aɪ/ glide to the final /l/. Think: FEW + TILE but with a smooth linking /juː/ between. Audio references: Cambridge and Oxford provide native pronunciations you can listen to for confirmation.
Common errors include misplacing the stress (say /ˈfjuː.təl/ or /fiˈtuːl/), substituting /ɪ/ or /ə/ for the /aɪ/ diphthong, and shortening the final /l/ without lip relaxation. Correction tips: keep the /juː/ sequence smooth by blending /j/ into /uː/ rather than breaking, ensure primary stress on the first syllable, and finalize with a clear, light lateral /l/ while keeping the tongue tip relaxed.
Across US/UK/AU, the core /ˈfjuː.taɪl/ remains, but rhoticity does not affect this word as the /r/ is absent. In some UK accents, the /uː/ may be realized slightly tighter or with less rounding; in some Australian varieties, vowel length can be subtly shorter and the glide from /j/ may be quicker. The main differences are in vowel quality and timing of the diphthong, not a change in letter-to-sound mapping.
The difficulty lies in smoothly sequencing the /juː/ glide into the /aɪ/ diphthong and landing accurately on the final /l/. Speakers often shorten the vowel or misplace the stress, producing /ˈfuːtəl/ or /fjuːˈtaɪl/. Focus on maintaining a clean /juː/ transition, keeping the nucleus of the word on the first syllable, and finishing with a light, quick /l/ to avoid a lilted ending.
There are no silent letters in futile; all letters contribute to the pronunciation. The challenge is the glide from /f/ to /juː/ and the subsequent /aɪ/ that blends into the final /l/. Ensure you articulate /f/ with a slight breath, push into /juː/, then glide to /aɪ/ and finish with /l/.
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Futile originates from the Latin word futileis, meaning "leaky" or "failing to hold water," which is linked to the Latin words utilis (useful) and utilis (useful in Latin) through a sense of being without utility. The earliest English uses in the 15th century carried a sense of being useless or not serving a purpose. Over time, the nuance broadened to include the futility of efforts—emphasizing that even persistent attempts may fail to yield any beneficial outcome. The semantic shift also echoes abstract contexts, where plans, arguments, or defenses are deemed futile because they do not reasonably alter the situation. The word retains formal or analytical connotations today, often appearing in academic, legal, or strategic discussions to mark actions as ineffective or wasteful of time and resources.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "futile" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "futile" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "futile"
-ile sounds
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