meaningless

adjective

mean·​ing·​less ˈmē-niŋ-ləs 

1

: having no meaning

especially : lacking any significance

2

: having no assigned function in a language system

meaninglessly adverb

meaninglessness noun

Synonyms

• pointless
• absurd
• stupid
• inane
• silly
• irrational
• empty
• foolish

Examples of meaningless in a Sentence

He felt that his work was meaningless.

The movie was filled with meaningless violence.

Recent Examples on the Web

But looking into the era of AI, the whole concept of the corporate moat may become meaningless. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2025

Such a decision is understandable, as coaches are concerned about players possibly getting injured in what are essentially meaningless games. —Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025

But the bravura camera movements and visual excess would be meaningless, Billeter said, if it’s not modulated with more straightforward camerawork that gets at character interiority. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2025

And exerting their infectious will and influence from the sidelines of an essentially meaningless game. —Kansas City Star, 10 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

meaningless

adjective

mean·​ing·​less ˈmē-niŋ-ləs 

1

: having no meaning or significance

meaningless chatter

2

: lacking motive

a meaningless murder

meaninglessly adverb

meaninglessness noun