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otiose

adjective
oti·​ose | \ ˈō-shē-ˌōs How to pronounce otiose (audio) , ˈō-tē-\

Definition of otiose

1 : producing no useful result : futile
2 : being at leisure : idle
3 : lacking use or effect : functionless
Other Words from otiose Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about otiose

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Other Words from otiose

otiosely adverb
otioseness noun
otiosity \ ˌō-​shē-​ˈä-​sə-​tē How to pronounce otiosity (audio) , ˌō-​tē-​ \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for otiose

vain, nugatory, otiose, idle, empty, hollow mean being without worth or significance. vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value. vain promises nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance. a monarch with nugatory powers otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity. a film without a single otiose scene idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect. idle speculations empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness. an empty attempt at reconciliation a hollow victory

Did You Know?

Otiose was first used in English in the late-18th century to describe things producing no useful result. By mid-19th century, it was being used in keeping with its Latin source otiosus, meaning "at leisure." There is also the noun form otiosity, which predates otiose by approximately three centuries. That noun is rarely found in writing today, but it makes an appearance on the occasional spelling bee word list.

Examples of otiose in a Sentence

since you haven't read the book, I suppose that it would be otiose to inquire what you thought of it

First Known Use of otiose

1795, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for otiose

Latin otiosus, from otium leisure

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More from Merriam-Webster on otiose

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with otiose

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for otiose

Britannica English: Translation of otiose for Arabic Speakers

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