vain
[ veyn ]
/ veɪn /
adjective, vain·er, vain·est.
excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy.
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.
ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: vain hopes; a vain effort; a vain war.
without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display.
Archaic.
senseless or foolish.
Idioms for vain
- without effect or avail; to no purpose: lives lost in vain; to apologize in vain.
- in an improper or irreverent manner: to take God's name in vain.
in vain,
Origin of vain
1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Latin
vānus empty, vain
SYNONYMS FOR vain
OTHER WORDS FROM vain
Words nearby vain
vagus nerve,
vagus pulse,
vahana,
vahine,
vail,
vain,
vainglorious,
vainglory,
vair,
vaisheshika,
vaishnava
Example sentences from the Web for vainness
His was a curious temperament, and this sentimentality, born of vainness and idle hours, by no means expressed it all.
Lysbeth |H. Rider Haggard
British Dictionary definitions for vainness
vain
/ (veɪn) /
adjective
inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or achievements
given to ostentatious display, esp of one's beauty
worthless
senseless or futile
noun
in vain
to no avail; fruitlessly
take someone's name in vain
- to use the name of someone, esp God, without due respect or reverence
- jocular to mention someone's name
Derived forms of vain
vainly, adverb vainness, nounWord Origin for vain
C13: via Old French from Latin
vānus
Idioms and Phrases with vainness
vain
see in vain; take someone's name in vain.