ineffective
/ˌɪn.əˈfek.tɪv/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.66 in modern English
22
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Not having the desired effect; ineffectual; otiose.
adj
Lacking in ability; incompetent or inadequate.
Example Sentences
- "Fire ants circumvented the problem of an ineffective sting by having an unusual and highly effective venom that when daubed or sprayed on other ants penetrates their waxy protective integumental barrier and kills or disables them."
- "Their use was “impermissible not because it is unwise or ineffective, but because [federal law]^([sic]) does not allow it”, the decision explained."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English in- Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰ Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h₁éǵʰs Proto-Italic *eks Latin ex Latin ex- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dʰh₁kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Latin faciō Latin efficiō Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Latin effectīvusbor. French effectifder. English effective English ineffective From in- + effective.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌɪn.əˈfek.tɪv/
Inflected Forms
more ineffective (comparative)
most ineffective (superlative)