| English Dictionary |
POINTLESS
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| IPA (US): |  |
Dictionary entry overview: What does pointless mean?
• POINTLESS (adjective)
The adjective POINTLESS has 3 senses:
1. not having a point especially a sharp point
2. serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
3. having no points scores
Familiarity information: POINTLESS used as an adjective is uncommon.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Not having a point especially a sharp point
Synonyms:
pointless; unpointed
Context example:
my pencils are all pointless
Similar:
blunt (having a broad or rounded end)
Antonym:
pointed (having a point)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
Synonyms:
otiose; pointless; purposeless; senseless; superfluous; wasted
Context example:
senseless violence
Similar:
worthless (lacking in usefulness or value)
Derivation:
pointlessness (total lack of meaning or ideas)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Having no points scores
Synonyms:
goalless; hitless; pointless; scoreless
Context example:
a scoreless inning
Similar:
unsuccessful (not successful; having failed or having an unfavorable outcome)
Context examples
A pause followed this apparently pointless remark. Daisy looked at Tom frowning and an indefinable expression, at once definitely unfamiliar and vaguely recognizable, as if I had only heard it described in words, passed over Gatsby's face.
(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)
| Learn English with... Proverbs |
"There is no winter for who has remained in his mother's womb" (Breton proverb)
"Arrogance diminishes wisdom." (Arabic proverb)
"As there is Easter, so there are meager times." (Corsican proverb)