ineffective
ineffective Lexical Profile
ineffective Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Not producing any significant or desired effect; failing to achieve the intended result.
"The outdated software proved ineffective at blocking the newest types of spam emails."
Lacking the ability, skill, or authority to perform a role or task successfully (used of a person or leader).
"Critics argued that the committee chair was ineffective at resolving disputes among the board members."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Ineffective' should not be confused with 'inefficient': 'ineffective' means failing to produce the intended result at all, whereas 'inefficient' means producing a result while wasting time, energy, or resources.
• Rhymes for ineffective
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-17th century from the negative prefix 'in-' ('not') and 'effective', which derives via Middle French from Latin 'effectivus' ('productive'), ultimately from 'efficere' ('to accomplish').