Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Without effect or result; useless; vain.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Without effect or advantage; useless; bootless.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Having no effect or advantage.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word effectless.

Examples

  • However, the Danish association of doctors and the Danish association of medicinal/pharmaceudical producers have just made an agreement in which the companies have to publish all research results, even when they prove that the companies 'products are effectless (harmful effects have always been required made public, for obviously reasons).

    And the Verdict Is... Nick Anthis 2006

  • But shadows don't sleep, they only hide, and this Shadow laughed as the magic ran through it, effectless.

    Dalamar the Dark Berberick, Nancy Varian 2000

  • He conducts effectless a photo-op foreign policy for which we have already paid a price but we may in the future pay a very, very heavy price in American blood and treasurer.

    CNN Transcript - Special Event: Sen. John McCain Makes Stump Speech, Answers Questions in California - March 1, 2000 2000

  • Emptiness drained the life out of this effectless soul as it drained out the life of the world.

    Dalamar the Dark Berberick, Nancy Varian 2000

  • We have seen that it was not effectless; and, what glimmer of it came down, through Plato, into the Middle Ages.

    The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 Kenneth Morris 1908

  • She stamped her foot for a final emphasis, but she was aware of her words all having fallen effectless, like blows dealt some detestable thing in a dream.

    The Coast of Bohemia William Dean Howells 1878

  • In thought he was always doing it, and there were times when he almost did it in reality, but he let these times pass effectless, hoping for some better time when the thing would do itself, waiting for the miracle which love expects, when it is itself the miracle that brings all its desires to fulfilment.

    The Coast of Bohemia William Dean Howells 1878

  • But, thinking of certain Englishmen I have known, I should be ashamed to join in the cry of those story - telling Americans whose jokes have sometimes fallen effectless.

    Seven English Cities William Dean Howells 1878

  • It could be said, of course, that the time apparently wasted in these effectless studies could have been well spent in deepening and widening a knowledge of English literature never yet too great, and I have often said this myself; but then, again, I am not sure that the studies were altogether effectless.

    Literature and Life (Complete) William Dean Howells 1878

  • It could be said, of course, that the time apparently wasted in these effectless studies could have been well spent in deepening and widening a knowledge of English literature never yet too great, and I have often said this myself; but then, again, I am not sure that the studies were altogether effectless.

    My Literary Passions William Dean Howells 1878

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.