vain

comparative vainer · comparative more vain · superlative vainest · superlative most vain · alternative obsolete wayn

1. Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.

   Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.

   1959, Leo Rosten, The return of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N

   Synonyms: conceited, flatulent, puffed up, inflated, airy, arrogant, chesty, authoritarian

2. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

   I will not hear thy vain excuse

   c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]

   2 more examples

   Let no man deceive you with vain words.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ephesians 5:6

   Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.

   1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC

   Synonyms: idle, valueless, base, contemptible, floccinaucinihilipilificatious, foolish, for the birds, futile

3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

   vain toil    a vain attempt

   3 more examples

   Vain is the force of man / To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.

   1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

   At our old pastimes in the hall ⁠We gambol’d, making vain pretence ⁠Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute Shadow watching all.

   1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXX”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 48

   But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion.

   1921, Ben Travers, chapter 6, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC

   Synonyms: pointless, futile, fruitless, ineffectual, bootless, barren, futile, sterile

4. Showy; ostentatious.

   Yet ſhall (my Lord) your juſt, your noble Rules / Fill half the land with imitating Fools: / VVho random dravvings from your ſheets ſhall take, / And of one beauty many blunders make; / Load ſome vain Church with old Theatric State, / Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate, […]

   1735, Alexander Pope, “Epistle 4”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume II, London: […] J. Wright, for Lawton Gilliver […], →OCLC, page 40, lines 25–30

   Synonyms: brash, pizazzy, bedizened, blatant, blingish, brash, campy, catchpenny

present singular third person vains · participle present vaining · participle past vained · past vained · alternative obsolete wayn

1. datedobsoleteraretransitiveTo frustrate.

plural VAINs

1. abbreviationacronymmedicineAcronym of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.