in·u·tile

(ĭn-yo͞ot′l, -yo͞o′tīl′)

adj.

Lacking in utility or serviceability; not useful.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin inūtilis : in-, not; see in-¹ + ūtilis, useful; see utile.]

in·u′tile·ly adv.

in′u·til′i·ty (ĭn′yo͞o-tĭl′ĭ-tē) n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

in•u•til•i•ty

(ˌɪn yuˈtɪl ɪ ti)

n., pl. -ties.

1. uselessness.

2. a useless thing or person.

[1590–1600; < Latin]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

inutility - the quality of having no practical use

unusefulness, uselessness

quality - an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone; "the quality of mercy is not strained"--Shakespeare

futility - uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result

worthlessness - the quality of being without practical use

impracticality - concerned with theoretical possibilities rather than actual use

impracticability, impracticableness - the quality of not being usable

usefulness, utility - the quality of being of practical use

Mentioned in

References in classic literature

She had tried to forget him, realizing the inutility of remembering.

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-- Organs or parts in this strange condition, bearing the stamp of inutility, are extremely common throughout nature.

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The inutility of her best efforts, however, palsied the poor old gentlewoman.

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The only propelling force it ever exhibited, was the mere impetus acquired from the descent of the inclined plane ; and this impetus carried the machine farther when the vanes were at rest, than when they were in motion - a fact which sufficiently demonstrates their inutility ; and in the absence of the propelling, which was also the sustaining power, the whole fabric would necessarily descend.

View in context

The modern metallic burial casket is a step in the same direction, and many a dead man who ought now to be ornamenting his neighbor's lawn as a tree, or enriching his table as a bunch of radishes, is doomed to a long inutility. We shall get him after awhile if we are spared, but in the meantime the violet and rose are languishing for a nibble at his glutoeus maximus .

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The garrets offered fine quarters to the rats and mice, whose nocturnal performances were related by Mademoiselle Cormon to the Chevalier de Valois, with many expressions of surprise at the inutility of her efforts to get rid of them.

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He reasoned long on the inutility of the war, and the little provocation which had been given for it.

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It was out of exasperation at the inutility of the functionaries in government not only during that historic visit of Pope Francis but at the daily sufferings of all citizens in Metro Manila up to this moment, it added.

Duterte camp: Mayor should've clarified point in 'cursing' Pope

But Duterte said he would only run if he thought he could contribute something to the country, because he would not be just another lame duck president or perpetuate inutility within the system, vaguely referring to the unitary form of government.

Duterte now keeps 'options open' on 2016 elections

You cannot even protect the human rights in your own country, (of) the African-Americans and other minorities, not to mention your inutility in dealing with the genocide going on in Africa and other countries, he said.

Duterte to rights group: You are all hypocrites

You cannot even protect the human rights in your own country the American-Africans and other minorities, not to mention your inutility in dealing with the genocide going on in Africa and other countries, Duterte said.

Duterte calls US rights group hypocrite

They cite inconvenience and inutility, but not unconstitutionality because the government cannot have such broad power to restrict OFWs right to travel ("Second-class citizens," 1/1/12).

Is LTOs no plate, no travel rule unconstitutional?