ineffectual

Etymology

It is formed from English in- + effectual,^[2][3][4][5] perhaps after a corresponding Medieval Latin or Old French form.^[2][6] The Oxford Dictionary of English and the Shorter Oxford derive the earliest uses from Medieval Latin ineffectualis, and only the later ones from the English parts;^[7][8] Barnhart marks that Latin form as unrecorded.^[6] Effectual is from Old French effectuel, from Late Latin effectualis, from Latin effectus (“accomplishment, performance”), the source of effect.^[3][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Without effect; unable to produce the intended result; fruitless: about 1425, in the Book of the Foundation of St Bartholomew's.^[2] Barnhart dates it to before 1425,^[6] Etymonline to the early 15th century.^[3]

Semantic evolution

The word was at first used of efforts and actions that failed.^[2][8] Johnson (1755) defined it as "unable to produce its proper effect; weak; without power", quoting Hooker's contrast of Scripture reading "effectual unto evil" with reading "ineffectual to do good".^[9] From 1785, in Cowper, it was used of things that fall short of their usual or expected effect, weak or tame, often with an allusion to the "uneffectual fire" of the glow-worm in Hamlet.^[2][8] From 1865, in Matthew Arnold, it was applied to a person who fails in what he or she is meant to do, and it is also used as a noun for such a person.^[2][4]

Timeline

• c. 1425 – of efforts or actions, without effect, fruitless.^[2]
• 1785 – of things, weak or tame in effect.^[2]
• 1865 – of a person, lacking the power to achieve things; also as a noun.^[2]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Not producing the intended or expected effect; futile or unavailing: Their ineffectual efforts to stop the leak flooded the cellar.^[4][10][2]
2. Of a person: lacking the power or forcefulness to get things done: an ineffectual manager.^[10][2]

Noun

1. A person who is ineffectual.^[4][2]

Word family

• ineffectuality
• ineffectually
• ineffectualness

Related words

• effectual
• effect
• ineffective
• effectuate

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
6. ^ a b c Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
7. ^ Stevenson, Angus, ed. (2010), Oxford Dictionary of English, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
8. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
9. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.
10. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins