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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.
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)
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."
Definition of vain adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
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.
Vain definition: excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited. See examples of VAIN used in a sentence.
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. Synonyms: futile, useless, pointless, unsuccessful More Synonyms of vain.
VAIN definition: 1. without any success: 2. an attempt/effort, etc that does not have the result you want 3. too…. Learn more.
What does the word vain mean? There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word vain, four of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. Entry status. OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
