Word · Frequency #9535
futile
无效的；无用的；徒劳的
incapable of producing any useful result; pointless and unlikely to succeed
- 1.
Incapable of producing results, useless; doomed not to be successful; not worth attempting.
无法产生效果的；无用的；注定失败的；不值得尝试的。
- 2.
producing no result or effect
无效的
- 3.
Insignificant; frivolous.
微不足道的；无谓的。
- 4.
unproductive of success
无成效的
微不足道的；轻浮的；无法产生效果的；无用的；注定失败的；不值得尝试的。；无效的；微不足道的；无谓的。；无成效的
In use
All attempts to revive the plant were futile.
It is futile to argue with someone who refuses to listen.
They made a futile attempt to climb the mountain in bad weather.
a futile effort
futile years after her artistic peak
it + be + futile + to-infinitive
常用句型，表示做某事没有效果。
It is futile to try to change his mind.
试图改变他的想法是徒劳的。
subject + be + futile
主语通常指行动或努力。
All our efforts were futile.
我们所有的努力都是徒劳的。
Connections
Collocations
- futile attempt
- 徒劳的尝试
- He made a futile attempt to lift the heavy rock.他徒劳地试图举起那块大石头。
- futile effort
- 无效的努力
- All his efforts to persuade her were futile.他所有说服她的努力都是徒劳的。
- futile struggle
- 无用的挣扎
- The company is in a futile struggle against bankruptcy.这家公司正与破产进行无用的挣扎。
- futile gesture
- 无意义的姿态
- His apology was a futile gesture that didn't change anything.他的道歉是一个无意义的姿态，并没有改变任何事。
- futile exercise
- 白费气力的事
- Arguing with him is a futile exercise.和他争论是白费气力。
Idioms & figurative uses
Learner notes
Memory Tip
发音似“夫太有”，但意为“无效的”，记住“夫太有”其实没用。
Context & Register
语域：formal 常见场景：academic writing、debate、formal discussion 通常用于正式或学术性语境，表示努力或尝试无效。在口语中较少使用，但在正式场合常见。
Grammar Note
通常用于描述努力或行动没有结果，不用于人。
Pronunciation & Spelling
All listed words share the '-ile' ending and (in the pronunciations given) have a final schwa /əl/, rhyming with 'futile' /fjutəl/. Words like 'file' or 'smile' (with /aɪl/) are spelling lookalikes but do not rhyme.
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 1，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.