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Definitions

vain

[veyn] / veɪn /
ADJECTIVE
egotistical
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arrogant cocky
WEAK
big-headed boastful conceited egocentric egoistic haughty high-and-mighty inflated narcissistic ostentatious overweening pleased with oneself proud puffed up self-important stuck-up swaggering swollen-headed vainglorious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
humble
WEAK
modest possible shy
ADJECTIVE
futile, useless
Synonyms
STRONGEST
frivolous fruitless petty trivial
WEAK
abortive barren bootless delusive delusory empty going nowhere hollow idle in vicious circle inefficacious insignificant misleading no-win not a prayer nugatory on a treadmill otiose paltry pointless profitless puny senseless shuck slight sterile time-wasting trifling unavailing unimportant unnotable unproductive unprofitable valueless void worthless
Antonyms
STRONGEST
consequential important significant useful
WEAK
modest possible shy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He was selfish and vain and hurtling faster than ever toward his destiny in Pain.

From Literature

“To know that it may all have been in vain is heartbreaking,” Mbara said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Increasingly I was spending the days as I did the nights, tossing on the thin straw pallet trying in vain to find a position in which all aches at once were eased.

From Literature

But Harper's salvo proved to be in vain as Venezuela regained the lead in the ninth inning, punishing a shaky performance from US reliever Garrett Whitlock to clinch victory.

From Barron's

I strained in vain to hear the direction the meeting was taking.

From Literature

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.