- Main Entry:
- vain
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈvān\
- Function:
- adjective
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Anglo-French, empty, futile, from Latin vanus — more at wane
- Date:
- 14th century
1: having no real value : idle, worthless <vain pretensions>2: marked by futility or ineffectualness : unsuccessful, useless <vain efforts to escape>3archaic : foolish, silly4: having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements : conceited
— vain·ly adverb
—
vain·ness \ˈvān-nəs\ noun —
in vain 1: to no end : without success or result <her efforts were in vain>2: in an irreverent or blasphemous manner <you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain— Deuteronomy 5:11 (Revised Standard Version)>
synonyms vain,
nugatory,
otiose,
idle,
empty,
hollow mean being without worth or significance.
vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value
<vain promises>.
nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance
<a monarch with nugatory powers>.
otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity
<a film without a single otiose scene>.
idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect
<idle speculations>.
empty and
hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness
<an empty attempt at reconciliation> <a hollow victory>.
