Vain: meaning, definitions and examples

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vain

 

[ veษชn ]

Adjective / Adverb
Context #1 | Adjective

self-importance

Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth.

Synonyms

arrogant, conceited, egotistical, self-centered

Examples of usage

  • She was so vain that she spent hours in front of the mirror.
  • His vain attempts to impress her were laughable.
  • Don't be so vain - nobody cares about your new haircut.
  • The actor's vain attitude made it difficult for others to work with him.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a useless manner

Without success or a result.

Synonyms

fruitlessly, ineffectively, unsuccessfully

Examples of usage

  • She searched the room in vain for her lost earring.
  • He tried in vain to fix the broken machine.

Translations

Translations of the word "vain" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น vaidoso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคตเฅเคฏเคฐเฅเคฅ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช eitel

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sia-sia

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะฐั€ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ prรณลผny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ†ใฌใผใ‚ŒใŸ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท vaniteux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ vano

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท boลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ—›๋œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุนุจุซ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ marnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mรกrny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅพ’ๅŠณ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ neฤimrn

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรกnรฝt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑะพั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒแƒ–แƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ boลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ vano

Etymology

The word 'vain' comes from the Old French 'vain' meaning 'empty, futile, worthless'. It has been used in English since the 14th century with various meanings related to emptiness and futility. Over time, it has evolved to also include the meaning of excessive self-admiration.

See also: vainly.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,920, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.