WordGarden.iouseless
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /jˈuːsləs/
US
- /ˈjusləs/
Meanings
Adjective
not useful, effective, or good for any practical purpose
bad at doing something or unable to manage effectively
Beyond the definition
Something useless doesn't serve any purpose; it's good for nothing! Imagine packing for a trip and realizing you brought a left shoe but no right one. That left shoe is now utterly useless. It might have once been part of a useful pair, but on its own, it just takes up space.
We often use "useless" to describe things that fail to achieve their intended goal. A broken umbrella in a rainstorm is useless. But "useless" can also describe people who are unable or unwilling to help—though calling someone useless isn't very kind! Think of the old saying, "crying over spilled milk"—dwelling on it is useless because you can't undo what happened.
The word "useless" describes something that has no real value, purpose, or effect in a situation. It means the thing cannot help, work, or be used in any practical way. For example: "After the storm, all the damaged equipment was deemed useless and had to be thrown away." Or, "Trying to fix the computer with a hammer proved utterly useless."
"Useless" isn't just about physical objects. It can also describe actions or efforts that do not lead anywhere. "Arguing with him is useless; he never listens" means that trying to reason with him will not achieve anything.
The concept of "uselessness" often implies a contrast with something useful. A tool is useful when it helps you accomplish a task, but becomes useless if broken beyond repair. It's important to note that what one person considers useless, another might find value in—perhaps for artistic purposes or sentimental reasons.
Historically, the word is a Middle English formation, combining "use," which entered the language through Old French, with the English suffix "-less," meaning "without." So whether it's a broken gadget, a wasted effort, or an unhelpful person, something useless is simply unable to do any meaningful job.
Examples
- 1
Tools
These scissors are useless for cutting thick cardboard.
- 2
Instructions
The instructions were useless because they left out the most important step.
- 3
Personal ability
I'm useless at remembering people's names.
- Patternuseless at + activity/skill
very bad at it
- 4
App dependency
The app is useless without an internet connection.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Self-worth
After I lost my job, I felt useless sitting at home all day.
- 6
Futile argument
It's useless arguing with him when he has already decided.
- Patternit's useless doing something
there is no point doing it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- completely useless
- useless for something
- useless at something
- feel useless
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- uselessadjective