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vain

vain

 
 
pronunciation:
veIn
phrases:
in vain
features:
Word Combinations (adjective), Homophone Note
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: not leading to a desirable or lasting effect; futile; fruitless.
Utterly confused, she made a vain attempt to answer the question.The campers made a vain effort to contain the fire and finally called the local fire department.
synonyms:
abortive, bootless, fruitless, futile, ineffectual, inefficacious, unavailing, unsuccessful, useless
antonyms:
fruitful, successful
similar words:
hopeless, idle, ineffective, nugatory, pointless, unproductive
definition 2: excessively admiring of oneself, esp. of one's appearance; conceited.
He was a pampered child who grew up to be vain and proud.She's a vain woman who spends half her time in front of the mirror.
synonyms:
conceited, narcissistic, stuck-up, vainglorious
antonyms:
modest
similar words:
arrogant, egotistical, proud, self-centered
definition 3: showing or resulting from excessive preoccupation with one's appearance.
She flashed a vain smile at the camera.
synonyms:
self-satisfied, vainglorious
similar words:
arrogant, dandyish, proud
definition 4: lacking significance or value; trivial.
There is nothing but vain chatter at these parties.
synonyms:
futile, insignificant, nugatory, trivial
similar words:
frivolous, good-for-nothing, idle, silly, slight, trifling, valueless, worthless
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: in vain
derivations: vainly (adv.), vainness (n.)
Homophone Note
The words vain, vane, and vein sound alike but have different meanings.