vain

[veyn]

adjective

vainer, vainest 

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. to no avail; fruitlessly

2. 1. to use the name of someone, esp God, without due respect or reverence

   2. humorous,  to mention someone's name

Other Word Forms

• vainness noun
• vainly adverb
• unvain adjective
• unvainness 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.

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

Synonym Study

See useless.

Example Sentences

He particularly enjoyed a morality tale about two sisters – one beautiful but "vain and severe", who lost a suitor to her plain, but more agreeable, sibling.

From BBC

However, shadow chancellor Mel Stride accused the government of not having a plan and of "stalling" the Budget "in the vain hope things might get better".

From BBC

He looked frail and, for once, wasn’t wearing makeup, which is highly unusual for the famously vain 79-year-old.

From Salon

"The time for excuses is over… Matt and Rachel's deaths must not be in vain," Sue Arnold said after an inquest, which is yet to deliver its findings.

From BBC

The family of a 15-year-old champion kickboxer who died after a bout have said while his death has left them "broken", they hoped it wouldn't be "in vain".

From BBC

Related Words

• frivolous 
• fruitless 
• petty 
• trivial