American English
/ˈju.slɪs/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Not able to do the job it is meant to do, or not helping you achieve what you want.
In “useless,” the last vowel is unstressed, so it may sound like /ɪ/ in /ˈju.slɪs/ or /ə/ in /ˈjus.ləs/. Both are normal in American English.
Not able to do the job it is meant to do, or not helping you achieve what you want.
This old phone is useless for taking clear pictures.
The map was useless to us.
completely useless · practically useless · useless tool · useless information
be useless for + noun/gerund
be useless to + person
Not able to do a task well or to help other people.
I'm useless at fixing cars.
He felt useless after the accident.
Calling a person useless sounds insulting. Use unable to help for a softer expression.
feel useless · a useless employee · a useless helper
be useless at + noun/gerund
A person who is completely useless or lazy; this is insulting.
They called him a good-for-nothing.