Pointless Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐คทโโ๏ธ
pointless
[หpษษชntlษชs ]
Definitions
description
Having no meaning, purpose, or use; lacking significance or importance.
Synonyms
futile, in vain, meaningless, purposeless, senseless.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pointless |
Use 'pointless' when referring to something that lacks any purpose or result, often after considering other factors. It implies that the action is not worth doing.
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| meaningless |
'Meaningless' implies that something lacks significance, value, or importance. It can be used to describe actions, words, or even life events.
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| futile |
'Futile' is often used in more serious or formal contexts to express that an effort or action will definitely not succeed. It can convey a sense of resignation or inevitability.
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| senseless |
'Senseless' often carries a negative connotation, suggesting that something is not only without purpose but also irrational or illogical. It can describe actions that seem foolhardy or unreasonable.
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| purposeless |
Use 'purposeless' to describe something that has no clear goal or purpose, often suggesting a lack of direction or focus.
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| in vain |
'In vain' is commonly used to describe an effort that ultimately produces no result, often when there was hope or expectation for success. It is frequently used in past tense or narrative contexts.
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Examples of usage
- It was a pointless exercise, as it didn't lead to any meaningful results.
- His comments were pointless and added no value to the discussion.
- The argument seemed pointless, with neither side willing to compromise.
conversation
An action or situation that has no purpose or reason; something that is insignificant or trivial.
Synonyms
frivolity, futility, insignificance, triviality, worthlessness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pointless |
Used when an action or situation has no meaningful outcome or purpose.
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| futility |
Used when an action or effort is doomed to fail, highlighting its inevitability.
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| worthlessness |
Used to express that something or someone lacks value or is not useful; often has a negative connotation.
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| triviality |
Used to describe matters that are minor or lack weight.
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| insignificance |
Used to describe something that lacks importance or value.
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| frivolity |
Used when referring to something that lacks seriousness or is overly playful.
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Examples of usage
- The meeting felt like a pointless waste of time.
- The whole project turned out to be a pointless endeavor.
- Her efforts were dismissed as pointless by the critics.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Engaging in activities deemed pointless can lead to feelings of frustration and low motivation.
- Studies suggest that a sense of purpose significantly contributes to mental well-being; when people perceive their actions as pointless, it negatively affects happiness.
- The phenomenon of nihilism explores beliefs in the futility of life, often closely related to feelings of pointlessness.
Pop Culture
- The term 'pointless' gained popularity in the mid-2000s with the rise of humorous internet content, where users often dubbed absurd videos as 'pointless.'
- In British television, a quiz show called 'Pointless' challenges contestants to find obscure answers, adding a clever twist to the idea of being pointless.
- Many memes on social media utilize the concept of something being 'pointless' to humorously comment on daily life events.
Literature
- In existential literature, characters often grapple with feelings of pointlessness in their lives, reflecting on deeper philosophical questions.
- The works of authors like Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre explore themes of absurdity and how individuals search for meaning in a seemingly pointless world.
- Many poetry pieces employ the idea of pointlessness to evoke emotions or illustrate the futility of certain struggles.
Everyday Usage
- People often use the term in conversations to describe tasks that seem unproductive or unnecessary.
- In discussions about hobbies, someone might refer to a particularly trivial activity as 'pointless' if it doesn't yield tangible results.
- The word is frequently used in debates about policy decisions that lack clear benefits or impact.
Origin of 'pointless'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the combination of 'point' and the suffix '-less,' meaning 'without point'.
- It has been in use since the late 14th century, originally signifying something lacking a clear aim or direction.
- The idea of 'point' referred to a sharp tip, representing focus or purpose which is absent in the word 'pointless.'
The word 'pointless' originated from the combination of 'point' and 'less' in the late 16th century. It has been used to describe things or actions without a clear purpose or significance. Over the years, 'pointless' has become a common term to express the idea of something lacking meaning or importance.
See also: counterpoint, midpoint, pinpoint, point, pointed, pointedly, pointer, pointers, pointillism, pointillize, pointing, pointlessly, pointlessness, points, unpointed.