Meaningless
/ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
Definitions
Having no meaning, purpose, or significance.
/ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
Lacking importance or significance
The constant stream of advertisements felt meaningless to her.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, but the rules don't make sense, or the prize is something you don't want. That's like something being meaningless – it's pointless and doesn't matter.
👶 For kids: When something doesn't matter or have a reason.
More Examples
His efforts to win her over proved meaningless.
The repetitive tasks at work made him feel his job was meaningless.
How It's Used
"The politician's speech was deemed meaningless by the public."
"Philosophers often grapple with the concept of a meaningless existence."
"After the team lost, all their effort felt meaningless."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
A meaningless gesture
An action or act that doesn't achieve anything or have any value.
"Sending flowers after the argument felt like a meaningless gesture that didn't resolve the issue."
A life of meaningless existence
A life felt to be without purpose or value.
"She began to question if she was living a life of meaningless existence."
From "meaning" + "-less." Meaning derives from Old English "mænan" (to mean, intend). The suffix "-less" indicates absence or lack.
Used in a similar sense to modern times, with early examples appearing in the 17th century.
Memory tip
Think of something without a point or reason - it's meaningless.
Word Origin
"absence of meaning"