"ineffectual" meaning in English

See ineffectual in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Adjective

IPA: /ˌɪnɪˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/ [Received-Pronunciation], /ˌɪnəˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/ [General-American] Audio: LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav Forms: more ineffectual [comparative], most ineffectual [superlative]
Etymology: From in- + effectual. Etymology templates: {{prefix|en|in|effectual}} in- + effectual Head templates: {{en-adj}} ineffectual (comparative more ineffectual, superlative most ineffectual)
  1. Unable or insufficient to produce effect. Synonyms: futile, futile Translations (futile): tulokseton (Finnish), hyödytön (Finnish), ineffektiv (German), nutzlos (German), fruchtlos (German), vergeblich (German), sinnlos (German), vergebens (German), unwirksam (German), untauglich (German), wirkungslos (German), αναποτελεσματικός (anapotelesmatikós) (Greek), bezskuteczny (Polish), nieskuteczny (Polish), nadaremny (Polish), bezpłodny (Polish), विफल (viphala) (Sanskrit)
    Sense id: en-ineffectual-en-adj-K6wmBTZr Disambiguation of 'futile': 78 20 1
  2. Worthless; ineffective.
    Sense id: en-ineffectual-en-adj-5JNJkruO
  3. Weak, indecisive; lacking forcefulness. Translations (weak, indecisive): pystymätön (Finnish), saamaton (Finnish), nicht durchsetzungsfähig (German), nachgiebig (German), schwach (German), halbherzig (German), ngoringori (Maori), rōrā (Maori), nieudolny (Polish), nieskuteczny (Polish), inoperante (Spanish)
    Sense id: en-ineffectual-en-adj-ncL7Yn~j Categories (other): English entries with incorrect language header, English terms prefixed with in-, Entries with translation boxes, Pages with 1 entry, Pages with entries, Terms with Finnish translations, Terms with German translations, Terms with Greek translations, Terms with Maori translations, Terms with Polish translations, Terms with Sanskrit translations, Terms with Spanish translations Disambiguation of English entries with incorrect language header: 20 2 79 Disambiguation of English terms prefixed with in-: 41 7 52 Disambiguation of Entries with translation boxes: 7 0 93 Disambiguation of Pages with 1 entry: 16 0 84 Disambiguation of Pages with entries: 5 0 95 Disambiguation of Terms with Finnish translations: 12 4 84 Disambiguation of Terms with German translations: 10 4 85 Disambiguation of Terms with Greek translations: 24 0 76 Disambiguation of Terms with Maori translations: 13 4 83 Disambiguation of Terms with Polish translations: 15 4 81 Disambiguation of Terms with Sanskrit translations: 10 4 85 Disambiguation of Terms with Spanish translations: 7 0 93 Disambiguation of 'weak, indecisive': 1 1 98
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: feckless, ineffectuall [obsolete] Related terms: ineffectualness, ineffectuality, ineffectually

Alternative forms

{
  "antonyms": [
    {
      "word": "effectual"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "in",
        "3": "effectual"
      },
      "expansion": "in- + effectual",
      "name": "prefix"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From in- + effectual.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "more ineffectual",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "most ineffectual",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "ineffectual (comparative more ineffectual, superlative most ineffectual)",
      "name": "en-adj"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adj",
  "related": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0",
      "word": "ineffectualness"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0",
      "word": "ineffectuality"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0",
      "word": "ineffectually"
    }
  ],
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "1865, Henry David Thoreau, Cape Cod, Chapter II. \"Stage-coach Views\", page 16.\nThis coach was an exceedingly narrow one, but as there was a slight spherical excess over two on a seat, the driver waited till nine passengers had got in, without taking the measure of any of them, and then shut the door after two or three ineffectual slams, as if the fault were all in the hinges or the latch,—while we timed our inspirations and expirations so as to assist him."
        },
        {
          "ref": "1964 July, “News and Comment: The Broad Street-Richmond line”, in Modern Railways, page 17:",
          "text": "Until the recent rash of North London line maps appeared on station billboards in the London area of BR, the service undoubtedly suffered from meagre and ineffectual publicity.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Unable or insufficient to produce effect."
      ],
      "id": "en-ineffectual-en-adj-K6wmBTZr",
      "links": [
        [
          "insufficient",
          "insufficient"
        ],
        [
          "produce",
          "produce"
        ],
        [
          "effect",
          "effect"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "futile"
        },
        {
          "word": "futile"
        }
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "tulokseton"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "hyödytön"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "ineffektiv"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "nutzlos"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "fruchtlos"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "vergeblich"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "sinnlos"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "vergebens"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "unwirksam"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "untauglich"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "wirkungslos"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "el",
          "lang": "Greek",
          "roman": "anapotelesmatikós",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "αναποτελεσματικός"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "bezskuteczny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "nieskuteczny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "nadaremny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "bezpłodny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "78 20 1",
          "code": "sa",
          "lang": "Sanskrit",
          "roman": "viphala",
          "sense": "futile",
          "word": "विफल"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Worthless; ineffective."
      ],
      "id": "en-ineffectual-en-adj-5JNJkruO",
      "links": [
        [
          "Worthless",
          "worthless"
        ],
        [
          "ineffective",
          "ineffective"
        ]
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "20 2 79",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with incorrect language header",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with incorrect language header",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "41 7 52",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms prefixed with in-",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "7 0 93",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Entries with translation boxes",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "16 0 84",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with 1 entry",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "5 0 95",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Pages with entries",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "12 4 84",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Finnish translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "10 4 85",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with German translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "24 0 76",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Greek translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "13 4 83",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Maori translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "15 4 81",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Polish translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "10 4 85",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Sanskrit translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "7 0 93",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "Terms with Spanish translations",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "Our group leader proved highly ineffectual, caving to every whim put forth by the other members.",
          "type": "example"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Weak, indecisive; lacking forcefulness."
      ],
      "id": "en-ineffectual-en-adj-ncL7Yn~j",
      "links": [
        [
          "Weak",
          "weak"
        ],
        [
          "indecisive",
          "indecisive"
        ],
        [
          "forcefulness",
          "forcefulness"
        ]
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "pystymätön"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "saamaton"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "nicht durchsetzungsfähig"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "nachgiebig"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "schwach"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "halbherzig"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "ngoringori"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "mi",
          "lang": "Maori",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "rōrā"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "nieudolny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "nieskuteczny"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "1 1 98",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "weak, indecisive",
          "word": "inoperante"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌɪnɪˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/2/29/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav.mp3",
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    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌɪnəˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0",
      "word": "feckless"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "0 0 0",
      "tags": [
        "obsolete"
      ],
      "word": "ineffectuall"
    }
  ],
  "word": "ineffectual"
}
{
  "antonyms": [
    {
      "word": "effectual"
    }
  ],
  "categories": [
    "English adjectives",
    "English entries with incorrect language header",
    "English lemmas",
    "English terms prefixed with in-",
    "Entries with translation boxes",
    "Pages with 1 entry",
    "Pages with entries",
    "Terms with Finnish translations",
    "Terms with German translations",
    "Terms with Greek translations",
    "Terms with Maori translations",
    "Terms with Polish translations",
    "Terms with Sanskrit translations",
    "Terms with Spanish translations"
  ],
  "etymology_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "en",
        "2": "in",
        "3": "effectual"
      },
      "expansion": "in- + effectual",
      "name": "prefix"
    }
  ],
  "etymology_text": "From in- + effectual.",
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "more ineffectual",
      "tags": [
        "comparative"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "most ineffectual",
      "tags": [
        "superlative"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {},
      "expansion": "ineffectual (comparative more ineffectual, superlative most ineffectual)",
      "name": "en-adj"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "adj",
  "related": [
    {
      "word": "ineffectualness"
    },
    {
      "word": "ineffectuality"
    },
    {
      "word": "ineffectually"
    }
  ],
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with quotations"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "1865, Henry David Thoreau, Cape Cod, Chapter II. \"Stage-coach Views\", page 16.\nThis coach was an exceedingly narrow one, but as there was a slight spherical excess over two on a seat, the driver waited till nine passengers had got in, without taking the measure of any of them, and then shut the door after two or three ineffectual slams, as if the fault were all in the hinges or the latch,—while we timed our inspirations and expirations so as to assist him."
        },
        {
          "ref": "1964 July, “News and Comment: The Broad Street-Richmond line”, in Modern Railways, page 17:",
          "text": "Until the recent rash of North London line maps appeared on station billboards in the London area of BR, the service undoubtedly suffered from meagre and ineffectual publicity.",
          "type": "quote"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Unable or insufficient to produce effect."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "insufficient",
          "insufficient"
        ],
        [
          "produce",
          "produce"
        ],
        [
          "effect",
          "effect"
        ]
      ],
      "synonyms": [
        {
          "word": "futile"
        },
        {
          "word": "futile"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "glosses": [
        "Worthless; ineffective."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Worthless",
          "worthless"
        ],
        [
          "ineffective",
          "ineffective"
        ]
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English terms with usage examples"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "Our group leader proved highly ineffectual, caving to every whim put forth by the other members.",
          "type": "example"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "Weak, indecisive; lacking forcefulness."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "Weak",
          "weak"
        ],
        [
          "indecisive",
          "indecisive"
        ],
        [
          "forcefulness",
          "forcefulness"
        ]
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌɪnɪˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/",
      "tags": [
        "Received-Pronunciation"
      ]
    },
    {
      "audio": "LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/2/29/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav/LL-Q1860_%28eng%29-Vealhurl-ineffectual.wav.mp3",
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    },
    {
      "ipa": "/ˌɪnəˈfɛkt͡ʃuəl/",
      "tags": [
        "General-American"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "word": "feckless"
    },
    {
      "tags": [
        "obsolete"
      ],
      "word": "ineffectuall"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "tulokseton"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "hyödytön"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "ineffektiv"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "nutzlos"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "fruchtlos"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "vergeblich"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "sinnlos"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "vergebens"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "unwirksam"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "untauglich"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "wirkungslos"
    },
    {
      "code": "el",
      "lang": "Greek",
      "roman": "anapotelesmatikós",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "αναποτελεσματικός"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "bezskuteczny"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "nieskuteczny"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "nadaremny"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "bezpłodny"
    },
    {
      "code": "sa",
      "lang": "Sanskrit",
      "roman": "viphala",
      "sense": "futile",
      "word": "विफल"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "pystymätön"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "saamaton"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "nicht durchsetzungsfähig"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "nachgiebig"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "schwach"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "halbherzig"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "ngoringori"
    },
    {
      "code": "mi",
      "lang": "Maori",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "rōrā"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "nieudolny"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "nieskuteczny"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "weak, indecisive",
      "word": "inoperante"
    }
  ],
  "word": "ineffectual"
}

Download raw JSONL data for ineffectual meaning in English (5.4kB)


This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-11-06 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-10-02 using wiktextract (fbeafe8 and 7f03c9b). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.