WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
fruit•less /ˈfrutlɪs/USA pronunciation
adj.
fruit•less•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- not producing results or success:a fruitless search.
fruit•less•ness, n. [uncountable]
fruit•less
(fro̅o̅t′lis),USA pronunciation adj.
fruit′less•ly, adv.
fruit′less•ness, n.
- useless;
unproductive;
without results or success:a fruitless search for the missing treasure. - Botanybearing no fruit;
barren.
- 1300–50; Middle English; see fruit, -less
fruit′less•ness, n.
- 1. . futile, unavailing, vain. 2. . sterile.
- 1. . useful, profitable. 2. . fertile.
'fruitlessly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):