Proper Pronunciation Guide
futile
[
fju tḷ]
Tips:
- Pronounce the letter “u” like the name of the letter itself—/ju/—and stress it.
- The second syllable consists of a “t” followed by a “syllabic l” /ḷ/ — with no vowel between the “t” and “l.”
Practice Sentence:
| Their attempts to rescue the victims were futile. |
Definition:
(adjective) Completely unsuccessful; useless.
Notes:
In quick speech the /t/ in this word may be pronounced as a lightly tapped /d/, making it a homophone with the word “feudal,” the social system of lords and serfs in the Middle Ages. However, this word, futile, is usually pronounced a bit more slowly because it is emphasized, indicating the speaker’s exasperation. The pronunciation [fju tɑ͜i
əɫ], where the last part of the word is pronounced like the word “tile,” is more a British pronunciation.