futile

英 ['fjuːtaɪl] 美['fjʊtaɪl]
  • adj. 无用的;无效的;没有出息的;琐细的;不重要的

CET6+TEM4GRE考研低频词常用词汇

词态变化


名词: futility;

助记提示


1. futil- + -e.
2. which etymologically means 'that pours away', hence 'useless'.
3. futility: f(音“弗、否”) + utility(实用) => 不实用 => 无用.
4. futility => futile.
5. f- (音“弗、否”) + ut- "use" => fut- "useless" => futile.

中文词源


futile 徒劳的

来自拉丁语fundere, 倾注,倾泻,词源同foundry, alchemy, confused. 引申词义流走的,徒劳的。

英文词源


futile
futile: see found
futile (adj.)
"incapable of producing result," 1550s, from Middle French futile or directly from Latin futilis, futtilis "vain, worthless, futile," a figurative use, literally "pouring out easily, easily emptied" (the Latin adjective used as a noun meant "a water vessel broad above and pointed below"), hence "leaky, unreliable," from fundere "to pour, melt," from PIE root *gheu- "to pour" (see found (v.2)). Related: Futilely.

双语例句


1. They were killed, to the last man, in a futile attack.
因为进攻失败,他们全部被 , 无一幸免.

来自《简明英汉词典》

2. Without microscopes and other modern equipment, attempts to teach science were futile.
没有显微镜及其他现代化的设备, 想教授自然科学是不会有成果的.

来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3. Their efforts to revive him were futile.
他们对他抢救无效.

来自《简明英汉词典》

4. He is a futile sort of person.
他是一个没有用的人.

来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

5. Their costly and futile attempt to subjugate the Afghans lasted just 10 years.
他们大动干戈想要控制阿富汗地区,但只持续了10年就无果而终了。

来自柯林斯例句