fruit·less \ˈfrütlə̇s\adjective Etymology: Middle English, from fruit (I) + -less 1.: lacking or not bearing fruit : barren < a fruitless tree > 2.: productive of no advantage or good effect : vain, unsuccessful, unprofitable < a fruitless effort > < fruitless negotiations > • fruit·less·lyadverb • fruit·less·nessnoun-es