pointless
Americanadjective
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without a point.
a pointless pen.
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blunt, as an instrument.
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without force, meaning, or relevance.
a pointless remark.
- Synonyms:
- ineffectual, futile, unproductive, meaningless
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without a point scored, as in a game.
a pointless inning.
adjective
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without a point
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without meaning, relevance, or force
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sport without a point scored
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of pointless
First recorded in 1300–50, pointless is from Middle English point les. See point, -less
Explanation
If something's pointless, it has no use or makes no sense. Telling yourself that it's pointless to be nervous every time you fly on a plane probably won't solve your fear of flying. Taking standardized tests in school often feels pointless, and an even more pointless exercise might be listening to your best friends argue about which 1970s rock band was the greatest. When something has a useful purpose or a good reason to exist, it has a point — and when it doesn't, it's pointless. You can also use this adjective to mean "dull" or "blunt."
Vocabulary lists containing pointless
Never Mind: Synonyms for "Meaningless"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the Starkadders’ home, breakfast means congealed porridge, and cows are called Feckless, Aimless, Graceless and Pointless.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025
The 28-year-old has six UK number one singles, including Before You Go, Pointless and Wish You The Best, with both of his studio albums reaching number one in the UK albums chart.
From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025
The weekday edition of Pointless would almost certainly land Alexander Armstrong on the list if compiled differently, along with his Pointless Celebrities co-star Richard Osman, who also fronts BBC Two's House of Games.
From BBC • Jul. 14, 2025
So, is your knowledge the Strongest Link or is it more Pointless?
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2024
Harry moved the tip of his eagle-feather quill down the page, frowning as he looked for something that would help him write his essay, “Witch Burning in the Fourteenth Century Was Completely Pointless — discuss.”
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
