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- Dictionaryvain/veɪn/
adjective
- 1. having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth: "their flattery made him vain" Similar Opposite
- 2. producing no result; useless: "a vain attempt to tidy up the room" Similar Opposite
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unsuccessful or useless; failing to achieve a purpose: a vain attempt to avoid responsibility. Employers clearly hoped that the workers would stay longer, but their efforts were largely in vain (= unsuccessful). vain adjective [-er/-est only] (SELFISH)
The meaning of VAIN is having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements : conceited. How to use vain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Vain.
Vain definition: excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited. See examples of VAIN used in a sentence.
unsuccessful or useless; failing to achieve a purpose: a vain attempt to avoid responsibility. Employers clearly hoped that the workers would stay longer, but their efforts were largely in vain (= unsuccessful). vain adjective [-er/-est only] (SELFISH)
Definition of vain adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride. adjective. unproductive of success. “a vain attempt” synonyms: bootless, fruitless, futile, sleeveless. unproductive. not producing or capable of producing. Pronunciation. US. /veɪn/ UK. /veɪn/ Cite this entry. Style: MLA. "Vain."
adj. 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. n. 5. in vain to no avail; fruitlessly. 6. take someone's name in vain. a. to use the name of someone, esp God, without due respect or reverence.
Definition of 'vain' vain. (veɪn ) Word forms: vainer , vainest. 1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended. The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule. I was singing in a vain effort to cheer him up.
Without force or effect; futile, fruitless, unprofitable, unavailing, etc. A vain endeavor. Webster's New World. Having or showing an excessively high regard for one's self, looks, possessions, ability, etc.; indulging in or resulting from personal vanity; conceited. Webster's New World.
1. A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended. [...] 2. If you describe a hope that something will happen as a vain hope, you mean that there is no chance of it happening. [...] 3. If you describe someone as vain, you are critical of their extreme pride in their own beauty, intelligence, or other good qualities.
