NYT Dictionary

INEFFECTIVE

/ˌɪn.ɪˈfɛk.tɪv/
Adjectivein-ef-FEC-tivein-ef-fec-tive · 4 syllablesGrade 9

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2023, 2024

Meaning

Not having the desired effect; ineffectual; otiose.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

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.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

fruitlessinefficaciousunprofitablelamebootlessbarrenfutilesterilegainlessidle

Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles, including a pangram:

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