pointless

Everyday

1. Pointless means having no purpose or use. tree →
2. In a game or test, pointless can mean scoring no points. tree →

In the lessons

People say «It's pointless» when an action will not help or change anything. In stories it can show that a character has given up or that a fight is senseless. In maths and games, a pointless team has 0 points. Phrases: it's pointless to …, a pointless argument, completely pointless.

Examples

• It's pointless arguing with my brother; he never listens. tree →
• Shouting at the rain is pointless. tree →
• The meeting felt long and pointless. tree →
• Our team was pointless after the first round. tree →
• It's pointless to water the garden when it's raining. tree →
• Without a plan, the trip seemed pointless. tree →

Note

-less means «without», so pointless = without a point (purpose). In a scoring game «pointless» means 0 points. «Pointless» is about having no purpose; do not confuse it with «blunt» (a pencil without a sharp point).