What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
purposeless
Example
I wandered aimlessly around the park, feeling purposeless. [purposeless: adjective]
Example
The meeting seemed purposeless, with no clear agenda or outcome. [purposeless: adjective]
meaningless
Example
The speech was filled with meaningless platitudes and cliches. [meaningless: adjective]
Example
After the breakup, life felt empty and meaningless. [meaningless: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Meaningless is more commonly used than purposeless in everyday language. Meaningless is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while purposeless is less common and refers to a lack of specific goal or objective.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between purposeless and meaningless?
Both purposeless and meaningless are typically associated with an informal tone, but they can be used in formal contexts as well.
