nounnounadjective

l’inutile

useless

Qui ne sert à rien ou qui n'apporte aucun avantage.

Definition & meaning

The French word inutile primarily translates to "useless" or "pointless" in English. It describes something that serves no purpose, lacks utility, or fails to produce a desired result. Depending on the context, it can have two nuances:

Ineffective or unproductive: Used when an action or object does not achieve its intended goal. For example, a gesture that does not change a situation is considered "inutile."
Unnecessary or superfluous: Used when something is extra, uncalled for, or redundant. If someone provides information that is already known, that information might be described as "inutile."

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

Part of Speech: Adjective.
Gender: It is a uniform adjective, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., un effort inutile, une dépense inutile).
Plural: The plural form is inutiles for both genders.

Word Origin: The word comes from the Latin inutilis, which is composed of the prefix in- (expressing negation or the opposite) and the adjective utilis (useful). The root of utilis is the verb uti, meaning "to use."