in vain
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vain
(vān)adj. vain·er, vain·est
Idiom: 1. Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless: a vain attempt.
2. Lacking substance or worth: vain talk.
3. Having or showing excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.
4. Archaic Foolish.
in vain
1. To no avail; without success: Our labor was in vain.
2. In an irreverent or disrespectful manner: took the Lord's name in vain.
vain′ly adv.
vain′ness n.
Synonyms: vain, empty, hollow, idle, otiose
These adjectives mean lacking value or substance: vain regrets; empty pleasures; hollow threats; idle dreams; otiose theoretical discussions. See Also Synonyms at futile.
These adjectives mean lacking value or substance: vain regrets; empty pleasures; hollow threats; idle dreams; otiose theoretical discussions. See Also Synonyms at futile.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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| Adv. | 1. | in vain - to no avail; "he looked for her in vain"; "the city fathers tried vainly to find a solution" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
بِدون جَدْوى
marně
forgæves
en baldeen vano
turhaan
uzaluduzaludno
hiába
árangurslausttil einskisunnið fyrir gýgárangurslaus
in cassum
förgäves
boş yereboşuna
vain
(vein) adjective1. having too much pride in one's appearance, achievements etc; conceited. She's very vain about her good looks.
2. unsuccessful. He made a vain attempt to reach the drowning woman.
3. empty; meaningless. vain threats; vain promises.
ˈvainly adverb unsuccessfully. He searched vainly for the treasure.
vanity (ˈvӕnəti) noun1. excessive admiration of oneself; conceit. Vanity is her chief fault.
2. worthlessness or pointlessness. the vanity of human ambition.
in vain with no success. He tried in vain to open the locked door.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.