Definition

Not producing any useful or valuable results; ineffective or barren.

Example

The team's efforts to improve sales were unfruitful, leading to disappointment.

Conversation

I spent all afternoon studying, but it felt so unfruitful.

That sounds frustrating! Sometimes studying just doesn't click.

Yeah, I thought I was making progress, but I guess it was just an unfruitful effort.

Maybe you need a break or a different approach to help you focus better.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unfruitful → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "fruitful" (from Old English "fruhtful", meaning producing fruit or beneficial results). The word "unfruitful" means not producing fruit or lacking beneficial results.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') producing 'fruit' — that's why unfruitful means not yielding any results.

Visually Confused Words