English - Hungarian

meaninglessly

gb/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/ us/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/
C1 English
értelmetlenül, céltalanul, üresen, kifejezéstelenül, összefüggéstelenül, érthetetlenül
C1
1
Usage pattern:
meaninglessly + [verb]
We spent the afternoon meaninglessly scrolling through videos.
Az egész délutánt azzal töltöttük, hogy céltalanul videókat görgettünk.
The debate dragged on meaninglessly, with no new ideas.
A vita értelmetlenül húzódott el, új ötletek nélkül.
He was tired of working meaninglessly long hours for nothing.
Learner examples
I don’t want to live meaninglessly.
Nem akarok értelmetlenül élni.
They argued meaninglessly for hours.
Órákon át értelmetlenül vitatkoztak.
Common mistake:
Don’t use it to mean “carelessly” (without care); it means “without purpose or value.”
Meaning
in a pointless, purposeless way
Collocations
meaninglessly argue |meaninglessly repeat |meaninglessly continue |meaninglessly busy |meaninglessly spend time |meaninglessly destroy |meaninglessly prolong |meaninglessly criticise |meaninglessly compete |meaninglessly fight
Synonyms
pointlessly (Most direct synonym; emphasizes lack of point.) | purposelessly (Emphasizes lack of purpose or goal.) | aimlessly (Emphasizes lack of direction; often about moving or searching.)
Antonyms
meaningfully (Done in a way that has meaning or value.) | purposefully (Done with a clear purpose or intention.)
Themes
daily_life |communication |emotions
Definition

In a way that is not useful or has no purpose.

In a way that has no real purpose, value, or point.

C1
2
Usage pattern:
meaninglessly + [verb: stare/smile/nod/look]
She stared meaninglessly at the wall, barely listening.
Üresen bámulta a falat, alig figyelt.
He smiled meaninglessly, as if he hadn’t understood the joke.
Üresen mosolygott, mintha nem értette volna a viccet.
The crowd nodded meaninglessly, waiting for the speech to end.
Learner examples
He looked at me meaninglessly.
Üresen nézett rám.
She smiled meaninglessly.
Üresen mosolygott.
Common mistake:
This sense is about expression (a blank look), not about the action being useless.
Meaning
without expressing anything clearly
Collocations
meaninglessly stare |meaninglessly smile |meaninglessly nod |meaninglessly glance |meaninglessly grin |meaninglessly laugh |meaninglessly gaze
Synonyms
blankly (Most common for facial expression or gaze; emphasizes emptiness.) | vacantly (Suggests absence of thought or attention.) | expressionlessly (Focuses on lack of facial expression.)
Antonyms
expressively (Shows feelings or meaning clearly.) | knowingly (Implies the look or action communicates intention or understanding.)
Themes
emotions |communication
Definition

Without showing any clear feeling or message.

In a way that does not convey any clear emotion, message, or significance; blankly or vacantly.

C1
3
Usage pattern:
meaninglessly + [verb: babble/mutter/repeat]
The toddler babbled meaninglessly while playing with blocks.
A kisgyerek érthetetlenül gügyögött, miközben a kockákkal játszott.
He muttered meaninglessly under his breath, too tired to form a sentence.
Az orra alatt összefüggéstelenül motyogott, túl fáradt volt ahhoz, hogy rendes mondatot alkosson.
The recording was damaged, and the voices came through meaninglessly.
Learner examples
The baby talked meaninglessly.
A baba érthetetlenül gügyögött.
He repeated the words meaninglessly.
Összefüggéstelenül ismételgette a szavakat.
Common mistake:
Not the same as “incorrectly”; it means the words themselves don’t carry clear meaning.
Meaning
producing words with no meaning
Collocations
meaninglessly babble |meaninglessly mutter |meaninglessly chatter |meaninglessly repeat |meaninglessly ramble
Synonyms
nonsensically (Emphasizes that it doesn’t make sense.) | incoherently (Emphasizes lack of clear, connected speech.)
Antonyms
coherently (Speaks in a clear, logical way.) | clearly (Uses understandable language.)
Themes
language |communication
Definition

Using sounds or words that do not make sense.

In a way that produces sounds or words that do not form meaningful language or do not make sense.

Grammar
Dictionary form
meaninglessly
IPA
GB/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/
US/mˈinɪŋɡlˈɛsli/
Syllables & stress
mean - ing - lessly (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mean)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: meaninglessly
  • Plural: meaninglesslies
Word family
Forms
meaninglesslies noun
Core family
mean verb A2 meaning noun meaningful adjective B2
Related words
meaningfully adverb
Negative and opposite forms
meaningless adjective B2
Expressions

No expressions linked to this entry yet.

Welcome back!

Please sign in to continue

Forgot password?
Don't have an account? Sign up