Infructuous Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ɪnˌfrʌkʊtʃʊəs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A fruit or seed that is mature but has fallen from the plant or tree, often used as a metaphor for something that has gone to waste or is no longer useful.

Examples

• The once-fertile land lay barren and infertile, its infructuous crops a testament to the devastating drought.
• The company’s infructuous projects and ventures led to its downfall and eventual bankruptcy.
• The musician’s band was dubbed infructuous by their critics, citing the group’s lack of success despite their talent.

Synonyms

• Fruitless
• Waste
• Fruit gone bad

Antonyms

• Fruitful
• Productive
• Successful

Explanation

Infructuous refers to something that has reached its full potential or has matured, but has lost its utility or value. This term is often used to describe projects, ideas, or investments that have gone sour or have failed to yield the expected results.

Etymology

The word ‘infructuous’ comes from the Latin words ‘infra’, meaning below, and ‘fructuosus’, meaning fruitful. In its earliest forms, the term was used to describe fruit that had fallen from the tree, but over time it took on a broader metaphorical meaning.

Usage Notes

Infructuous is often used in formal or technical writing, particularly in business, economics, or academic contexts. It can be used to convey a sense of disappointment or disillusionment with a project or investment that has failed to yield the expected results.

Cultural References

Infructuous has appeared in notable works of literature and art, including novels, poems, and films. For example, in his novel ‘The Bell Jar’, Sylvia Plath uses the term to describe the infructuous nature of her own creative endeavors.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• “Throwing good money after bad” – investing in a project or venture that has already proven infructuous
• a “fruitless endeavor” – a project or activity that is unlikely to yield the expected results

Related Words or Phrases

• Fruitful
• Productive
• Successful
• Unfruitful

Collocations

• to label something infructuous
• Infructuous projects
• a infructuous investment

Frequency of Use

Infructuous is a relatively rare word in modern language, particularly when compared to its antonym, fruitful. However, it can be used effectively in certain contexts to convey a sense of disappointment or disillusionment with a project or investment.

Common Misspellings

• Infurctuos
• Infectious