Definition

Not producing any useful results or success; unproductive.

Example

After many fruitless attempts to fix the car, we decided to call a mechanic.

Conversation

I spent hours looking for my keys, but it felt so fruitless in the end.

That sounds frustrating! Did you check the usual places?

Yeah, I even looked in the fridge — talk about a fruitless search!

Maybe it's time to take a break and try again later.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Fruitless → It is formed from "fruit" (from Old French *fruit*, meaning the product of plants) and "-less" (meaning without). The word "fruitless" means without fruit or without results.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'without' ('-less') the 'product' ('fruit') of effort — that's why fruitless means not yielding any results.

Visually Confused Words