Main Entry: vain

Pronunciation: \ˈvān\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, empty, futile, from Latin vanus — more at wane

Date: 14th century

1 : having no real value : idle, worthless <vain pretensions>
2 : marked by futility or ineffectualness : unsuccessful, useless <vain efforts to escape>
3 archaic : foolish, silly
4 : having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements : conceited

synonyms see futile

— vain·ly adverb

— vain·ness \ˈvān-nəs\ noun

— in vain 1 : to no end : without success or result <her efforts were in vain>
2 : in an irreverent or blasphemous manner <you shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain — Deuteronomy 5:11 (Revised Standard Version)>

synonyms vain, nugatory, otiose, idle, empty, hollow mean being without worth or significance. vain implies either absolute or relative absence of value <vain promises>. nugatory suggests triviality or insignificance <a monarch with nugatory powers>. otiose suggests that something serves no purpose and is either an encumbrance or a superfluity <a film without a single otiose scene>. idle suggests being incapable of worthwhile use or effect <idle speculations>. empty and hollow suggest a deceiving lack of real substance or soundness or genuineness <an empty attempt at reconciliation> <a hollow victory>.