fruitless
gb/fɹˈutləs/ us/fɹˈutləs/
B2
English
~ 8000
eredménytelen, hiábavaló, nem termő, nem terem
B2
1
hiábavaló
B2
Usage pattern:
a fruitless [attempt/effort/search] to [do something]
After hours of negotiation, the talks proved fruitless and the strike continued.
Több órányi tárgyalás után a tárgyalások eredménytelennek bizonyultak, és a sztrájk folytatódott.
They made a fruitless attempt to save the failing business.
Eredménytelen kísérletet tettek a bajba jutott vállalkozás megmentésére.
Police called off their fruitless search for clues in the area.
Our meeting with the manager was completely fruitless; nothing changed.
Years of fruitless efforts left the team tired and disappointed.
Learner examples
We had a fruitless meeting, and we made no plan.
Eredménytelen volt a megbeszélésünk, és nem készült semmilyen terv.
After a fruitless search, she went home with no answers.
Az eredménytelen keresés után válaszok nélkül ment haza.
His fruitless attempts to fix the car made him feel tired.
The phone call was fruitless because she could not get any help.
Their fruitless efforts did not solve the problem.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "fruitless" with "pointless" or "useless". "Fruitless" focuses on the result (no success in the end), while the effort itself can still be reasonable or necessary. They also sometimes mix up "fruitless" and "fruitful" because they look similar but have opposite meanings.
Meaning
Not achieving success or result
Collocations
fruitless search
|fruitless attempt
|fruitless effort
|fruitless discussion
|fruitless meeting
|prove fruitless
Synonyms
unsuccessful (More general and neutral; does not suggest wasted effort as strongly as "fruitless".)
|
futile (Stronger and more negative, often suggesting there was never any real chance of success.)
|
unproductive (Often used about work or time, focusing on lack of results rather than failure of a specific attempt.)
Antonyms
successful (Direct opposite, indicating that the effort achieved what was wanted.)
|
productive (Opposite in terms of results, emphasizing that time or effort led to useful outcomes.)
|
fruitful (A near-exact opposite that suggests rich, positive, or plentiful results.)
Themes
work
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not bringing any success or useful result, even after trying.
Failing to achieve any desired result, success, or practical benefit.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a fruitless [tree/plant] in [a place]
The old apple tree in the yard has become fruitless over the years.
Az udvaron álló öreg almafa az évek során már nem terem.
Farmers decided to replace the fruitless vines with a more reliable grape variety.
A gazdák úgy döntöttek, hogy a nem termő szőlőtőkéket egy megbízhatóbban termő szőlőfajtára cserélik.
In this climate, many citrus trees remain fruitless without careful care and irrigation.
They pruned the fruitless branches to encourage new growth.
The orchard looked healthy, but half the trees were fruitless that summer.
Learner examples
The small orange tree was fruitless and gave no oranges.
A kis narancsfa nem termett, és egy narancsot sem hozott.
Some plants stay fruitless if they do not get enough sun.
Egyes növények nem teremnek, ha nem kapnak elég napfényt.
We cut down the fruitless tree in the garden.
The farmer is worried because many of his trees are fruitless this year.
This fig tree is fruitless, but the next one has many figs.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes assume "fruitless" always has the abstract meaning of "unsuccessful" and do not realize it can literally describe trees or plants that do not grow fruit.
Meaning
Not bearing fruit (plants)
Collocations
fruitless tree
|fruitless fig tree
|fruitless vines
|fruitless season
Synonyms
barren (Common in agricultural or literary contexts; can also describe land that does not produce crops.)
|
unfruitful (Less common and slightly more formal; can be used both for plants and for abstract results.)
Antonyms
fruit-bearing (Direct opposite describing a plant that produces fruit.)
|
productive (In an agricultural context, describes land or plants that yield crops well.)
Themes
nature
|food
Definition
Used for a tree or plant that does not grow any fruit.
Describing a tree or plant that does not produce fruit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fruitless
IPA
GB/fɹˈutləs/
US/fɹˈutləs/
Syllables & stress
fruit - less (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fruit)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: fruitless
Word family
Expressions
a fruitless search
1/ə fɹˈutləs sˈɚt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Unsuccessful effort to find something
A search that does not find what you are looking for, even after trying.
Examples
- After a fruitless search for his keys, he finally called a locksmith.
- Police carried out a fruitless search of the riverbank.
fruitless attempt
1/fɹˈutləs ətˈɛmpt/
fixed phrase
Unsuccessful attempt to do something
An effort to do something that does not work and brings no result.
Examples
- She made a fruitless attempt to fix the computer herself.
- His fruitless attempt to contact customer service left him very frustrated.
fruitless discussion
1/fɹˈutləs dɪskˈʌʃən/
fixed phrase
Discussion with no useful outcome
A talk or meeting where people do not agree on anything or make any plan.
Examples
- After a long but fruitless discussion, they ended the meeting with no decision.
- We had a fruitless discussion about the budget and will have to meet again.
fruitless effort
1/fɹˈutləs ˈɛfɚt/
fixed phrase
Effort that brings no result
Hard work or energy that does not bring any success or useful result.
Examples
- Their fruitless effort to save the project left them exhausted.
- We decided to stop our fruitless effort and try a new plan.
prove fruitless
1/pɹˈuv fɹˈutləs/
fixed phrase
Be shown to bring no result
To turn out, in the end, to have no success or useful result.
Examples
- If these talks prove fruitless, the company may close the factory.
- Her appeals to the council ultimately proved fruitless.