VAIN


Meaning of VAIN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈvān ]

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

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.