Meaning of vain in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /veɪn/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    vain

    Definitions

    1. characteristic of false pride

    Examples

    • « having an exaggerated sense of self-importance »
    • « a conceited fool »
    • « an attitude of self-conceited arrogance »
    • « an egotistical disregard of others »
    • « so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty »
    • « growing ever mo »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. unproductive of success

    Examples

    • « a fruitless search »
    • « futile years after her artistic peak »
    • « a sleeveless errand »
    • « a vain attempt »

    Synonyms

Famous quotes

  • « Unless man is committed to the belief that all mankind are his brothers, then he labors in vain and hypocritically in the vineyards of equality. »
    Adam Clayton
  • « Thou wilt find rest from vain fancies if thou doest every act in life as though it were thy last. »
    Aristotle
  • « Vain hopes are like certain dreams of those who wake. »
    Quintilian
  • « In God's world, for those who are in earnest, there is no failure. No work truly done, no word earnestly spoken, no sacrifice freely made, was ever made in vain. »
    Frederick William Robertson
  • « It is in vain to hope to please all alike. Let a man stand with his face in what direction he will, he must necessarily turn his back on one half of the world. »
    George Dennison Prentice

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