First Known Use: 1794
Dictionary
otiose
adjective oti·ose \ˈō-shē-ˌōs, ˈō-tē-\
Definition of OTIOSE
1
: producing no useful result : futile
2
: being at leisure : idle
3
: lacking use or effect : functionless
— oti·ose·ly adverb
— oti·ose·ness noun
— oti·os·i·ty \ˌō-shē-ˈä-sə-tē, ˌō-tē-\ noun
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Origin of OTIOSE
Latin otiosus, from otium leisure
Related to OTIOSE
- Synonyms
- abortive, barren, bootless, empty, fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficacious, futile, profitless, unavailing, unproductive, unprofitable, unsuccessful, useless, vain
- Antonyms
- deadly, effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient, fruitful, potent, productive, profitable, successful, virtuous
Synonym Discussion of 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>.
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