futile Look up futile at Dictionary.com
1550s, from M.Fr. futile, from L. futilis "vain, worthless, futile," lit. "pouring out easily" (of a vessel), hence "easily emptied, leaky, unreliable," from base of fundere "pour, melt," from PIE *gheu- "to pour" (see found (2)). Related: Futilely.