otiose

An adjective meaning serving no practical purpose; unnecessary or superfluous. It is now considered archaic or very formal.

• 🇫🇷Adjectif signifiant qui n'a pas d'utilité pratique, superflu ou inutile. De nos jours, il est considéré comme désuet ou très formel.

1. Serving no useful purpose C2 formal

   Having no practical or useful function; unnecessary or superfluous.

   • The committee's lengthy discussion was otiose, as the decision had already been made.
   • Adding more decorations to the already cluttered room seemed otiose.
   • His otiose comments only prolonged the meeting without adding value.

   🇫🇷inutile, superflu

   Synonymes: futileineffectualneedlesspointlesspurposelessredundantsuperfluousunnecessaryunproductiveuseless

   Antonymes: beneficialessentialfunctionalnecessaryproductiveuseful

2. Producing no result or effect C2 formal

   Ineffective or futile; failing to achieve any outcome.

   • All attempts to revive the old tradition proved otiose.
   • The lawyer's argument was otiose, as the judge had already ruled.
   • Their otiose efforts to fix the machine only made it worse.

   🇫🇷Inutile, sans effet

   Synonymes: bootlessfruitlessfutileidleineffectiveineffectualprofitlessunavailinguselessvain

   Antonymes: effectiveeffectualefficaciousfruitfulpotentproductivesuccessfuluseful

3. Disinclined to work or exertion C2 formal

   Lazy or idle; showing a lack of willingness to make an effort.

   • The otiose employee spent most of the day browsing the internet.
   • His otiose attitude frustrated the rest of the team.
   • She was criticized for her otiose approach to the project.

   🇫🇷oisif, paresseux

   Synonymes: do-nothingidleindolentlanguidlazelazylethargicshiftlessslothfulsluggish

   Antonymes: activeassiduousdiligentenergetichardworkingindustrious

• more otiose comparative form
• most otiose superlative form