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

Syphard worries that a perception that home hardening is meaningless could result in residents not taking key steps to prepare their homes.

From Los Angeles Times

Although he rejected skipper Bernardo Silva’s post-match assertion that the club is currently in a "dark place", Guardiola also accepted after a defeat of this size, words are largely meaningless.

From BBC

"Distance, borders and languages are meaningless to criminals. This is why collaborations with Interpol have never been as important as they are today."

From BBC

Five weeks ago I ripped the Dodgers for a champagne celebration after something as meaningless as just winning the division.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m as angry as anyone about Bezos’ interference with the Post’s endorsement policy, even if the endorsement itself is pretty meaningless.

From Slate

Related Words

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