How to pronounce futile
Say it like FYOO-tul. Futile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FYOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce futile. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FYOO
- tul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Futile pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FYOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- tulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of futile
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: FYOO-tyle.
What does futile mean?
- Incapable of producing results, useless; doomed not to be successful; not worth attempting.
- Insignificant; frivolous.
Where does futile come from?
Borrowed from Middle French futile, from Latin fūtilis.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with futile
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of futile.
Questions about saying futile
How do you pronounce futile?
Say FYOO-tul. The American pronunciation is /ˈfjutəl/. In British English it is /ˈfjuːtaɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in futile?
Futile has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FYOO). Broken into parts: FYOO · tul.
Is futile pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈfjuːtaɪl/ (FYOO-tyle).