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VAIN
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Unproductive of success
Example:
a vain attempt
Synonyms:
bootless; fruitless; futile; sleeveless; vain
Classified under:
Similar:
unproductive (not producing or capable of producing)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Example:
vain about her clothes
Synonyms:
conceited; egotistic; egotistical; self-conceited; swollen; swollen-headed; vain
Classified under:
Similar:
proud (feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride)
Derivation:
vanity (the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride)
vanity (the quality of being valueless or futile)
vanity (feelings of excessive pride)
Context examples:
Opposition was vain; and as to Mrs. Norris, he was mistaken in supposing she would wish to make any.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
There were once a man and a woman who had long in vain wished for a child.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
But this was a vain idea.
(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)
And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
They were ignorant, idle, and vain.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
It was in vain that I rocked him by the shoulder and shouted his name in his ear.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The man waited in vain for them to go.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
All this, however, he continued, was urged in vain.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
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.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
Here I have been composing my soul to do without it, and here you are vexing me with your vain suggestions.
(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)
