vain

Use vain in a sentence

A vain man.

adjective

The definition of vain is someone or something without value, without force or who is conceited.

An example of vain is a promise that someone doesn't intend to keep.
An example of vain is an attempt to prune a bush only to have it removed the following day.
An example of vain is a person who constantly talks about how good looking they are.

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"vain." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain>.

APA Style

vain. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain

vain

having no real value or significance; worthless, empty, idle, hollow, etc.: vain pomp
without force or effect; futile, fruitless, unprofitable, unavailing, etc.: a vain endeavor
having or showing an excessively high regard for one's self, looks, possessions, ability, etc.; indulging in or resulting from personal vanity; conceited
Archaic lacking in sense; foolish

Origin of vain

Old French from Classical Latin vanus, empty, vain: see want

vain Idioms

in vain

fruitlessly; vainly
lightly; profanely; irreverently

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MLA Style

"vain." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain>.

APA Style

vain. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain

vain

adjective

vain·er, vain·est

Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: a vain attempt.
Lacking substance or worth: vain talk.
Having or showing excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.
Archaic Foolish.

Origin of vain

Middle English from Old French from Latin vānus empty ; see euə- in Indo-European roots.

Related Forms:

vain′ly
adverb

vain′ness
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"vain." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain>.

APA Style

vain. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain

vain

vain empty hollow idle nugatory otiose

These adjectives mean lacking value or substance: vain regrets; empty pleasures; hollow threats; idle dreams; nugatory commentaries; an otiose belief in alchemy.

See Also Synonyms at futile.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"vain." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 16 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain>.

APA Style

vain. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Vain

Adjective

(comparative vainer or more vain, superlative vainest or most vain)

Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
vain toil; a vain attempt
Showy; ostentatious.

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