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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. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin vānus, empty; see euə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] vainly adv. vainness 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. |
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