useless

Everyday

1. Not useful; not able to do its job: "A broken umbrella is useless." tree →
2. Having no effect: "It's useless to argue." tree →
3. Informally, very bad at something: "I'm useless at drawing." tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, things become useless when broken. In maths and writing lessons, "useless information" is information you do not need to answer the question. Saying "I'm useless at maths" is a common but unhelpful thing to say; teachers encourage pupils to keep trying. Phrases: useless at, it's useless to, completely useless.

Examples

• This pen is useless; it has no ink. tree →
• A torch without batteries is useless. tree →
• It's useless to shout; nobody can hear us. tree →
• Some numbers in the problem are useless for the answer. tree →
• I felt useless when I could not help. tree →
• Don't say you are useless at maths; just keep practising. tree →
• Precautions are useless after the event. tree →

Note

"-less" means without: useless = without use. Opposite: "useful". In maths word problems, look out for useless (extra) numbers that you do not need. Calling a person useless is unkind.

In Jewish tradition

In the Psalms, "a useless vessel" means a broken pot that is thrown away. It is a picture of someone forgotten and cast aside.

Interpretation. Readers take this as the feeling of a person who is ill or ignored and who still turns to God in prayer.

Examples

• I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am like a useless vessel. (Writings PSA.31.13, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

"-less" means without: useless = without use. Opposite: "useful". In maths word problems, look out for useless (extra) numbers that you do not need. Calling a person useless is unkind.