



Attempting to force-feed the sick horse was futile.
trifling; frivolous; unimportant.
having no effective result; unsuccessful
pointless; unimportant; trifling
inane or foolish: don’t be so futile!

1550s, from Middle French futile, from Latin futilis “vain, worthless, futile,” literally “pouring out easily” (of a vessel), hence “easily emptied, leaky, unreliable,” from base of fundere “pour, melt,” from PIE root *gheu- “to pour” (see found (v.2)). Related: Futilely.


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