vainly

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

synonyms see futile

— 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>.

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