Feckless

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈfÉ›klÉ™s/, /ˈfÉ›klɪs/

Origin

From Scots, feck ("effect"), aphetic form of effect, + -less.

Full definition of feckless

Adjective

1. Lacking purpose.
• 2005, Canberra Times, September 10It is the beauty of great games when they are played at their highest level and the extraordinary thing now is that we do not have to trawl back through all the years of your inexorable progress from feckless beach boy to master sportsman."
2. Without skill, ineffective, incompetent.
3. (UK) Lacking the courage to act in any meaningful way.
4. (British, archaic) Lacking vitality.

Synonyms

• (weak, ineffective) futile, hopeless, ineffective, ineffectual, feeble, meaningless, useless
• (worthless, irresponsible) unpurposed, worthless, aimless, careless, reckless, irresponsible

Antonyms

• (weak, ineffective) effective, efficient, meaningful, useful
• (worthless, irresponsible) purposeful, careful, responsible

Related terms

• fecklessly
• fecklessness