ineffectual

[ in-i-fek-choo-uhl ]

adjective
  1. not effectual; without satisfactory or decisive effect: an ineffectual remedy.

  2. unavailing; futile: His efforts to sell the house were ineffectual.

  1. powerless; impotent.

Origin of ineffectual

1
A late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at in-3, effectual

synonym study For ineffectual

2. See useless.

Other words for ineffectual

Other words from ineffectual

  • in·ef·fec·tu·al·i·ty, in·ef·fec·tu·al·ness, noun
  • in·ef·fec·tu·al·ly, adverb

Words Nearby ineffectual

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How to use ineffectual in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ineffectual

ineffectual

/ (ˌɪnɪˈfɛktʃʊəl) /


adjective
  1. having no effect or an inadequate effect

  2. lacking in power or forcefulness; impotent: an ineffectual ruler

Derived forms of ineffectual

  • ineffectuality or ineffectualness, noun
  • ineffectually, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012