meaningless

[ mee-ning-lis ]

adjective

1. without meaning, mean, meaning, significance, purpose, or value; purposeless; insignificant:

   a meaningless reply; a meaningless existence.

meaningless

/ ˈmiːnɪŋlɪs /

adjective

1. futile or empty of meaning

Derived Forms

• ˈmeaninglessness, noun
• ˈmeaninglessly, adverb

Other Words From

• meaning·less·ly adverb
• meaning·less·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of meaningless¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; meaning + -less

Example Sentences

If even one of those four people is somebody that didn't actually get the vaccine, the results are meaningless.

From The Daily Beast

By 2014, that advantage still existed but was statistically meaningless: 47 percent Republican, 44 percent Democratic.

From The Daily Beast

However, this has reduced consciousness of risk among young people, making the message of fear meaningless.

From The Daily Beast

Don't hide behind meaningless rhetoric or claim you're ready for action only to back off when the NRA comes knocking.

From The Daily Beast

We are at a dead end in a meaningless war, and we are paying the bill for this fighting every day.

From The Daily Beast

The thoughts which came to him were startlingly primitive, direct and sometimes meaningless to him.

From Project Gutenberg

The vociferous tones pierce my ears, and my heart bleeds at his meaningless declamation.

From Project Gutenberg

A dozen of these terse but meaningless sayings now dance before our recollection, for who has not heard them, even to loathing?

From Project Gutenberg

This in English would be meaningless, and was perforce replaced by what seems to be a fair equivalent.

From Project Gutenberg

This at least is a sensation frequently conveyed by the occurrence of any meaningless affectation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absurd
• empty
• futile
• hollow
• inconsequential
• insignificant
• pointless
• senseless
• trivial
• unimportant
• useless
• vague
• worthless