vain

[ veyn ]

adjective

, vain·er, vain·est.

1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited:

   a vain dandy.

   Synonyms: overweening, arrogant, proud, vainglorious, self-complacent, egotistic

   Antonyms: humble

2. proceeding from or showing pride in or concern about one's appearance, qualities, etc.; resulting from or displaying vanity:

   He made some vain remarks about his accomplishments.

3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile:

   vain hopes;

   a vain effort;

   a vain war.

   Synonyms: unavailing, fruitless

   Antonyms: useful

4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless:

   vain pageantry;

   vain display.

   Synonyms: nugatory, trifling, trivial

5. Archaic. senseless or foolish.

vain

/ veɪn /

adjective

1. inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or achievements
2. given to ostentatious display, esp of one's beauty
3. worthless
4. senseless or futile

noun

1. in vain
   to no avail; fruitlessly
2. take someone's name in vain
   1. to use the name of someone, esp God, without due respect or reverence
   2. to mention someone's name

Derived Forms

• ˈvainness, noun
• ˈvainly, adverb

Other Words From

• vain·ly adverb
• vain·ness noun
• un·vain· adjective
• un·vain·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vain¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin vānus “empty, vain”

Word History and Origins

Origin of vain¹

C13: via Old French from Latin vānus

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in vain,
   1. without effect or avail; to no purpose:

      lives lost in vain;

      to apologize in vain.

   2. in an improper or irreverent manner:

      to take God's name in vain.

More idioms and phrases containing vain

see in vain ; take someone's name in vain .

Synonym Study

See useless.

Example Sentences

Presumably it consists of some new type of particle, and for decades physicists have hunted in vain for the prime suspect, weakly interacting massive particles.

From Science Magazine

In the letter, he described how, in the wake of Miss Edwards's loss, he has tried to warn future generations of the consequences of gang culture to "make sure Elle's murder was not to be in vain".

From BBC

The play, which centers on two ragtag characters waiting in vain for a man named Godot, delivers some of 20th century theater’s most closely parsed lines.

From Los Angeles Times

“Naturally, you are waiting to see a moment where your character has their gear change,” says Lynch, and she didn’t wait in vain.

From Los Angeles Times

In August, Baroness Grey-Thompson was forced to "crawl off" a train arriving at London's King's Cross after waiting in vain for assistance for 20 minutes.

From BBC

Related Words

• frivolous
• fruitless
• petty
• trivial