vain

1 of 2

adjective

ˈvān How to pronounce vain (audio)
Synonyms of vain
1
: having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements : conceited entry 1
the vainest person I know
… contradictory demands placed on women: to be strong but not too strong, pretty but not too vain, ambitious but never aggressive, and on and on and on.—Angie Han
2
: marked by futility or ineffectualness : unsuccessful, useless
vain efforts to escape
searched in the vain hope of finding the document
3
: having no real value : idle, worthless
vain pretensions
4
archaic : foolish, silly
vainly adverb
vainness
ˈvān-nəs How to pronounce vain (audio)
noun
see also:
in vain

vainness

2 of 2

noun

vain·​ness
plural -es
: the quality or state of being vain

Synonyms of vain

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Adjective

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Choose the Right Synonym for vain

futile, vain, fruitless mean producing no result.

futile may connote completeness of failure or unwisdom of undertaking.

resistance had proved so futile that surrender was the only choice left

vain usually implies simple failure to achieve a desired result.

a vain attempt to get the car started

fruitless comes close to vain but often suggests long and arduous effort or severe disappointment.

fruitless efforts to obtain a lasting peace

Examples of vain in a Sentence

Adjective For a half a century, scholars have searched in vain for the source of the jade that the early civilizations of the Americas prized above all else and fashioned into precious objects of worship, trade and adornment. —William J. Broad, New York Times, 22 May 2002
… the miseries of people's lives ought not to be exploited ad libitum in the furtherance of our profits or our careers, and in the vain conviction that we understand everything. —Richard Taruskin, New Republic, 24 Dec. 2001
It is in vain to say human beings ought to be satisfied with tranquillity: they must have action; and they will make it if they cannot find it. —Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847
Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us. —Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813
Where words are scarce, they are seldom spent in vain … —William Shakespeare, King Richard the Second, 1596
She is very vain about her appearance. He is the vainest man I know. A vain effort to quell the public's fears only made matters worse. Volunteers searched the area in the vain hope of finding clues.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Hoult’s Gilderoy Lockhart a notoriously vain, boastful and fame-obsessed wizard well versed in Memory Charms who is recruited by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026 They are expected to become wiser but not louder, visible but not vain, accomplished but not demanding, and well-preserved but not provocative. — Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026 Where some may see this behavior as vain or egotistical, others may perceive it as bold, self-assured and passionate. — Mallorie Sullivan, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Paul Breitner, West Germany vs Italy, 1982 All in vain, but Breitner restores some German pride with a tidy, low volley on the turn after Italy fail to clear a corner. — Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for vain

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English veyn "empty, futile, groundless, foolish, excessively proud," borrowed from Anglo-French vain, vein, going back to Latin vānus "lacking content, empty, illusory, marked by foolish or empty pride" — more at wane entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of vain was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing vain

Rhymes for vain

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Browse Nearby Words

vail
vain
vainglorious
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vain.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vain. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vain

adjective
ˈvān How to pronounce vain (audio)
1
: having no success : useless
a vain attempt to escape
2
: proud of one's looks or abilities
vainly adverb
vainness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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