vain Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
    swollen-headed; egotistic; swollen; conceited; self-conceited; egotistical.
    • a conceited fool
    • an attitude of self-conceited arrogance
    • an egotistical disregard of others
    • so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty
    • growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary
    • vain about her clothes
  2. adjective satellite unproductive of success
    fruitless; sleeveless; bootless; futile.
    • a fruitless search
    • futile years after her artistic peak
    • a sleeveless errand
    • a vain attempt

WordNet

Vain adjective
Etymology
F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. Vanish, Vanity, Vaunt to boast.
Wordforms
comparative Vainer ; superlative Vainest
Definitions
  1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. "Thy vain excuse." Shak.
    Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. xxxix. 6.
    Let no man deceive you with vain words. Eph. v. 6.
    Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye! Shak.
    Vain visdom all, and false philosophy. Milton.
  2. Destitute of forge or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.
    Bring no more vain oblations. Isa. i. 13.
    Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. Dryden.
  3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.
    But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? James ii. 20 (Rev. Ver.).
    The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their art. Dryden.
  4. Showy; ostentatious.
    Load some vain church with old theatric state. Pope.
    Syn. -- Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant; deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.
Vain noun
Definitions
  1. Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase in vain.

Webster 1913