Pronunciation: [fjuːtˈɪlɪtiz] (IPA) 
The word "futilities" is spelled with a silent "i," which can be confusing for English learners. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /fjuːˈtɪlətiz/, where the "u" sound is pronounced as in "few," and the stress is on the second syllable. The "i" is pronounced as "ə," which is a neutral vowel sound, and it is followed by the "t" sound. The final syllable ends with the "z" sound, indicating that the word is plural.
Futilities, pl. noun
The term "futilities" refers to actions, efforts, or activities that are characterized by a lack of usefulness, significance, or practical value. It embodies the notion of being futile or ineffective in achieving a desired outcome or purpose. Futilities often involve actions that may consume time, energy, or resources, but ultimately fail to yield meaningful results or bring any productive outcome.
Futilities can exist in various contexts, including personal endeavors, professional tasks, or even larger societal or global issues. In personal terms, futilities may be related to individuals' repetitive, mundane actions that do not contribute to personal growth or progress. Professionally, futilities could be attributed to tasks that are unnecessarily time-consuming, redundant, or devoid of positive impact on one's work or organization.
The concept of futilities extends beyond individual actions and can encompass broader topics as well. Societal or global futilities encompass futile efforts made by governments, institutions, or social groups, for instance, attempting to address pressing problems or challenges through ineffective, misguided, or ill-suited strategies.
Identifying futilities can be vital for discouraging wasteful behaviors, prompting the reevaluation of strategies, and ultimately redirecting efforts towards more purposeful and meaningful actions. Recognizing futilities can aid individuals and organizations in optimizing their resources, prioritizing their goals, and striving for greater efficiency and efficacy in their pursuits.
The word "futilities" is derived from the noun "futility".
The term "futility" came into use in the late 16th century from the Latin word "futilis", meaning "leaky, vain, or worthless". It is also connected to the Latin verb "futiare", which means "to leak" or "to waste".
Over time, "futility" evolved to refer to those things or actions that are pointless, fruitless, or lacking significance. The plural form "futilities" denotes multiple instances of such useless or unimportant matters.
