uselessuse‧less /ˈjuːsləs/ ●●○ adjective 
The doctor concluded that further treatment would be useless. a website full of useless informationvirtually/completely/totally etc useless Water had got into the radio, and now it was completely useless.useless for The land is useless for growing crops.it is useless to do something It was useless to complain.worse than useless (=not useful and in fact causing harm or problems) The map was so out-of-date it was worse than useless.2informal unable or unwilling to do anything properly: Don’t ask Tim to fix it. He’s completely useless.—uselessly adverb—uselessness noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONSadverbscompletely/totally/absolutely useless· The treatment is completely useless.wholly/entirely useless· From his point of view qualifications are wholly useless.virtually/almost/practically useless· These flaws could make the software virtually useless in a business environment.quite useless British English (=completely useless)· The vehicle proved quite useless on rocky ground.pretty/fairly useless· The book is pretty useless for today's students.verbsrender something useless· She has a debilitating condition which renders her legs virtually useless.make something useless· Salt water flooded into the land making it useless for farming.prove useless· Police checkpoints proved useless at stopping the suicide bombers.phrasesworse than useless (=not useful, and causing harm or problems)· It would be worse than useless to try and complain about him.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a useless piece of information
- Antibiotics are useless against viral infections such as influenza.
- As a secretary, she was useless.
- He knew it was useless to pretend to be innocent.
- I had to remind myself that worrying is a useless activity.
- I tried calling the tax office but they were completely useless.
- It's useless trying to talk to you when you've had a drink.
- It's time you traded the car in, before it becomes utterly useless.
- It think it would be useless writing to the company -- they haven't even returned my calls.
- It was useless now to ask for help from my mother.
- Jay's car was 20 years old, and useless for anything but a short journey to the local shops.
- Jenny decided to say nothing. It was useless to argue.
- Numerous studies show that dieting is useless and may even cause weight gain.
- Of course we need to test children's ability, but some of these exams are worse than useless.
- Presumably, my files will be completely useless to whoever stole them.
- She gave me a video, but of course it's useless without a player.
- That's a nice watch, but it's useless for going underwater.
- The lifejackets turned out to be useless, because they didn't inflate properly.
- There's no point reading the instructions - they're completely useless.
- This book is useless! I can't find any of the information I need.
- And even as she prayed and wished, she knew, deep inside, that it was all useless.
- Despite that military expenditure, there are many situations where the military is useless, says Edward Djerejian.
- Had I an opportunity I should have great pleasure in giving you a few hints on this subject which might not be useless.
- I feel useless, you know what I mean?
- I kept useless collections of stamps, seashells, postcards, rocks, delighting in their deadly neatness.
- If the nerve fails to pass on the correct signals, the limb becomes useless.
- When their job is done they are judged useless, and killed or thrown out.
THESAURUS
not likely to have a useful result: · She knew it would be pointless to argue with him.· The meeting was a pointless exercise.
completely pointless because there is no chance at all of being successful: · She shut the door in a futile attempt to keep the smell out.· Their efforts proved futile (=did not have any success).
not useful or effective in any way: · I knew it was useless to try to explain to him what had happened.· The map we had been given was useless.
having no hope of being successful or effective: · It was a hopeless task.· He was jumping up and down in a hopeless attempt to keep warm.
to be not worth the time, money etc that you use because you do not achieve anything: · The whole process was a complete waste of time.· The scheme was a waste of money.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something is not useful not at all useful: · The lifejackets turned out to be useless, because they didn't inflate properly.· a useless piece of information· She gave me a video, but of course it's useless without a player.completely/totally/utterly/absolutely useless: · Presumably, my files will be completely useless to whoever stole them.· It's time you traded the car in, before it becomes utterly useless.useless for (doing) something: · That's a nice watch, but it's useless for going underwater.· Jay's car was 20 years old, and useless for anything but a short journey to the local shops.
to be useless: · This map's no use -- it doesn't show the minor roads.· I'm freezing, and these heaters are no use either.be (of) no use to: · All this information is of no use to me now. It's too late.be of no use for doing something: · It's a great rifle -- but no use for shooting anything bigger than a rabbit.
British if you have no use for something, you do not want it or need it because you cannot use it for anything: · You may as well stop giving me these magazines -- I've got no use for them, and they just go straight in the bin.
informal to be useless: · These matches must have got wet -- they're no good at all.· Yeah, Clancy's Bar is a lively place, but it's no good if you just want a quiet drink with a friend.be no good for (doing) something: · These glasses are no good for champagne.· We found out that the vehicle was not much good for transporting heavy loads.be no good to: · You're no good to me if you can't drive a car.· Do you want these bike parts? They're no good to me.
to not be helpful in a particular situation: · Johnny had drawn me a map, but that was no help.· Seat belts are of no help at all in 30% of car accidents.· I looked at the departures screen, but that was no help because it was out of order.be (of) no help to: · It was the nicest thing she could think of to say, but it was really no help to me.· The follow-up seminar on women's issues was of no help to me, so I left early.be (of) no help in doing something: · In-store videos were of no help in identifying the criminals.
objects that are useless and not needed objects that have little value because they are old, useless, broken, or unwanted: · a market stall selling junk and old clothes· a pile of old junk· Her cupboards were full of junk which she had accumulated over the years.
especially American, informal things that are useless because they are badly made, old, or broken: · Don't buy from that store -- most of the stuff there is garbage.· You can throw out all the stuff in that cupboard, it's garbage.· The attic was full of all kinds of garbage, including an old stereo and boxes of broken toys.
actions or activities that are useless if someone does something that is pointless , it does not seem to have any useful purpose and will not help anyone: · The argument was completely pointless.· pointless drug testing on animalsa pointless exercise (=something that you have to do that does not seem to have any purpose): · We had to change the sheets daily, which always seemed to me to be a pointless exercise.it is pointless doing something British: · It's pointless trying to speak to the manager -- she's always too busy.· Look, it's pointless us both waiting here -- I'll go and find a phone.it is pointless to do something: · The company says it is pointless to compete in the air package holiday market.· Simon was probably dead, and it was pointless to think he was coming back.
a futile effort or attempt to do something is completely pointless because there is no chance of its being effective or successful: · Kevin made one last futile attempt to persuade Sandra to go with him, then left.· Demonstrators condemned the summit as a futile and fruitless exercise.prove futile (=when an attempt ends without being successful): · All efforts to save the child proved futile.· Until attitudes at work are changed, attempts to improve performance are likely to prove futile.it is futile to do something: · The goal is not to punish the rebels, but to convince them that it is futile to resist.
if an activity is useless , it does not achieve anything or does not help anyone: · Numerous studies show that dieting is useless and may even cause weight gain.· I had to remind myself that worrying is a useless activity.it is useless to do something: · It was useless now to ask for help from my mother.· He knew it was useless to pretend to be innocent.it is useless doing something British: · It's useless trying to talk to you when you've had a drink.· I think it would be useless writing to the company -- they haven't even returned my calls.
ways of telling someone that it is useless to do something especially spoken say this when you think that it is useless to do something because it will not achieve any useful purpose: · "Why don't you try and sort out your argument with Mike?" "There's no point -- he never listens."· Don't try working out what your exam results will be -- there's no point.there's no point (in) doing something: · There's no point kidding yourself, Karen -- he just isn't interested in you anymore.· It's frustrating, but there's no point in getting angry.what's the point of doing something? spoken: · You've already decided, so what's the point of discussing it?see no point/not see the point: · I didn't see the point of waiting around, so I left.· I figured I'd be in town a while, and I saw no point in making enemies when I didn't have to.
spoken use this when you think that someone should not spend their time doing something because it will definitely not achieve anything: be a waste of time doing something/wasting your time doing something: · You're wasting your time trying to start that car. The battery's completely flat.· I told you it would be a waste of time applying for a visa.· Why waste your time trying to convince him? He won't change his mind.
spoken say this when you think that something someone wants to do is not important enough to spend any time or money on: · Don't get angry. It's not worth it.· "You should have your car serviced." "It isn't worth it. I hardly ever drive now."
spoken say this when you think that someone will not be able to change a situation or persuade someone by doing something: · Worrying about the test won't do you any good.· I don't think this is getting us anywhere. Can we change the subject?· Flattery won't get you anywhere -- I'm not doing it.· All this speculation isn't doing anyone any good.
spoken also it's/there's no good British spoken say this when something you are doing is not working so it is pointless to continue: no use (in) doing something: · It's no use talking to me about interest rates and mortgages -- I find it all too confusing.· It's no use lying about it because I saw you do it!· There's no use in getting upset about it now.be no good doing something British: · It's no good sitting here feeling sorry for yourself.· There's no good punishing him hours later, because he won't remember what he's done wrong.
when it is useless to try to persuade someone also might as well talk to a brick wall British spoken use this to say that it is useless to try to persuade someone or argue with them, because they will not listen to what you are saying: · I wouldn't bother arguing with Francis -- it's like talking to a brick wall.· I told you I don't want to go out again tonight -- honestly, I might just as well talk to a brick wall!
spoken use this to tell someone that there is no point in trying to argue with someone or persuade them about something because they will not change their opinion: · It's no good trying to make Kit change her mind -- you'd just be wasting your breath.· He's wasting his breath. There's no way they're going to lend him the money.
spoken if you talk, argue etc with someone till you're blue in the face , you talk or argue with them for a very long time when it is pointless to do this because they will not listen or understand: · You can argue till you're blue in the face, but it won't do you any good.· Politicians can claim until they are blue in the face that students have never had it so good, but the fact is, they cannot justify those claims.
not effective also ineffective having very little effect, so that it does not achieve what it is meant to achieve: · Studies have shown that this is not effective as a teaching technique.· The German tactics were so ineffective that Brazil had complete control in midfield.ineffective in doing something: · The government's approach has been ineffective in reducing unemployment.
informal not having any useful effect and not helping you get the result you want: · This book is useless! I can't find any of the information I need.· I reminded myself that worrying is a useless activity.useless against: · Antibiotics are useless against viral infections such as influenza.it is useless to do something: · Jenny decided to say nothing. It was useless to argue.worse than useless (=used to emphasize that something has no useful effect and may make a situation worse): · Of course we need to test children's ability, but some of these exams are worse than useless.
spoken say this when you have been trying to do something, but you realize that what you are doing is never likely to be effective: · This whole project's a waste of time, if you ask me.be a big/complete waste of time: · I came to the conclusion that therapy was a complete waste of time.
if something does not work, it does not produce the result that you want: · My doctor recommended several different creams for dry skin, but none of them worked.· If stain remover doesn't work, you'd better send your dress to the dry cleaners.· I tried ignoring his unpleasant remarks, but it didn't work.
if something has no effect , it produces no results at all or is completely unsuccessful: · The drugs had no effect.· Paul realized that his words were having no effect; Karen was not going to change her mind.
if an attempt to do something fails , you do not achieve the result that you want: · My attempt to lose weight failed completely.· Our plan to go into business failed when the bank refused to lend us enough money.
never likely to be effective - used especially by newspapers about political activities, plans etc: · They're saying that the democratic campaign is dead in the water just two days after its launch.· I think you should admit that the government's plans for higher education are now dead in the water.
words for describing someone or something that is not helpful · He bought a book on relaxation techniques but it wasn't very helpful.· The authorities weren't helpful at all when Rob reported his passport stolen.· I found the sales assistants most unhelpful.
if something or someone is no help they do not help you do something or get something: · Clarissa was no help - she just sat around and watched TV.· The phrase book wasn't much help in carrying on a conversation.
not wanting to help someone who wants you to help them, especially by deliberately opposing them or stopping them doing something easily: · Many of the older patients are uncooperative and difficult for the nurses to handle.· Hubbel has been a very uncooperative witness.
especially spoken not giving any help - use this when you are annoyed with someone or something because they should help you but they do not: · I tried calling the tax office but they were completely useless.completely/absolutely useless: · There's no point reading the instructions - they're completely useless.
if someone does not lift a finger , they do not help when help is wanted or needed, especially because they are lazy: · She stayed with us for two weeks and never lifted a finger the whole time.· Police knew there would be a fight, but they didn't lift a finger to try and stop it.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs This carpet’s as good as ruined.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· The treatment is completely useless.
· From his point of view qualifications are wholly useless.
· These flaws could make the software virtually useless in a business environment.
British English (=completely useless)· The vehicle proved quite useless on rocky ground.
· The book is pretty useless for today's students.
verbs· She has a debilitating condition which renders her legs virtually useless.
· Salt water flooded into the land making it useless for farming.
· Police checkpoints proved useless at stopping the suicide bombers.
phrases (=not useful, and causing harm or problems)· It would be worse than useless to try and complain about him.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES This carpet’s as good as ruined.· In the middle of the yard the little pony Alejandro regarded as useless stood quivering with terror.· It was as useless as trying to get kidnapped in second grade.· Trying to arrange a temporary nanny proved to be as useless as their hunt for an electrician.· By contrast, most objects thrown away were by definition worn out, broken, or regarded as useless.
· Yet it was completely useless, he said.· I wonder how much money we taxpayers paid for these completely useless pieces of information.· If hay has been rained on it may be completely useless.
· Some of them are pretty useless, but you do pick up a little information from each one.· One is that the normal / abnormal dichotomy and the categories of mental illness are pretty useless.· But it is pretty useless when it comes to toppling dodgy regimes.· She even waved her fists, which was pretty useless as she's only nine and small for her age.
· You will find that the normal aircraft compass is quite useless unless you are flying straight and at a steady speed.· There are so many factors involved in what may seem the simplest of problems, that self-justify answers are often quite useless.· Their digging has cleared right down to the gravel tidy - without it they would have rendered the undergravel filter quite useless.· He went on, it's quite useless if I think of your feelings in any way at all.· It was all quite useless, of course; she'd no idea where she was going.· If you press rose petals too heavily they are quite useless, losing their colour and becoming transparent.· The manufacturer who quickly and generously replaced the kit was able to identify it as three years old, and quite useless.· A few other metal objects had been fired, such as clocks and hair brushes ... but they had proved quite useless.
· Luckily they were totally useless in front of goal.· But now I see he was totally useless to learn from.· Soft defences would have been totally useless.
· The energy, once transferred to the bath is in the form of low grade heat and therefore virtually useless.· These programs provide facilities ranging from the essential to the virtually useless depending on your point of view.
NOUN· To this end there can be no such thing as useless information.· This is, I feel, useless information.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- As a waterproof it was next to useless.
- But counting the dead is next to impossible.
- But he quickly learned that at his age it was next to impossible to find a professional job in San Francisco.
- Buying such a processor for less than $ 400 is next to impossible.
- Further, genuine educational change in these settings is next to impossible given the logistical difficulty of just getting the staff together.
- In the early months, this restraint was next to impossible for them to achieve.
WORD FAMILYnounusageusedisusemisusereuseusefulness ≠ uselessnessuseradjectivereusableused ≠ unuseddisuseduseful ≠ uselessusable ≠ unusableverbusemisusereuseadverbusefully ≠ uselessly
1not useful or effective in any way OPP useful: The doctor concluded that further treatment would be useless. a website full of useless informationvirtually/completely/totally etc useless Water had got into the radio, and now it was completely useless.useless for The land is useless for growing crops.it is useless to do something It was useless to complain.worse than useless (=not useful and in fact causing harm or problems) The map was so out-of-date it was worse than useless.2informal unable or unwilling to do anything properly: Don’t ask Tim to fix it. He’s completely useless.—uselessly adverb—uselessness noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONSadverbscompletely/totally/absolutely useless· The treatment is completely useless.wholly/entirely useless· From his point of view qualifications are wholly useless.virtually/almost/practically useless· These flaws could make the software virtually useless in a business environment.quite useless British English (=completely useless)· The vehicle proved quite useless on rocky ground.pretty/fairly useless· The book is pretty useless for today's students.verbsrender something useless· She has a debilitating condition which renders her legs virtually useless.make something useless· Salt water flooded into the land making it useless for farming.prove useless· Police checkpoints proved useless at stopping the suicide bombers.phrasesworse than useless (=not useful, and causing harm or problems)· It would be worse than useless to try and complain about him.