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Antonyms for vain


Grammar : Adj
Spell : veyn
Phonetic Transcription : veɪn



Definition of vain

Origin :
  • c.1300, "devoid of real value, idle, unprofitable," from Old French vein "worthless," from Latin vanus "idle, empty," from PIE *wa-no-, from root *eue- "to leave, abandon, give out" (cf. Old English wanian "to lessen," wan "deficient;" Old Norse vanta "to lack;" Latin vacare "to be empty," vastus "empty, waste;" Avestan va- "lack," Persian vang "empty, poor;" Sanskrit una- "deficient"). Meaning "conceited" first recorded 1690s, from earlier sense of "silly, idle, foolish" (late 14c.). Phrase in vain "to no effect" (c.1300, after Latin in vanum) preserves the original sense. Related: Vainly.
  • adj egotistical
  • adj futile, useless
Example sentences :
  • Ambrose felt almost despairing as he heard in vain the last name.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • But, bound as he was, we can understand why they looked in vain.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Weary and restless with vain waiting, they looked from the doorway at the weather.
  • Extract from : « Malbone » by Thomas Wentworth Higginson
  • You look in vain for any outward signs of profligacy or debauchery.
  • Extract from : « Sunday under Three Heads » by Charles Dickens
  • O the words of kindness, all to be expressed in vain, that flowed from her lips!
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • To attempt to eliminate fear and retain this concept of God is vain.
  • Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
  • Williams, Gunby, and Howard, all strove in vain to bring it to order.
  • Extract from : « A Sketch of the Life of Brig. Gen. Francis Marion » by William Dobein James
  • Some men are as vain as any women, and Corney was one of those some.
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • She strove her mightiest to rid herself of them, but in vain.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • And this poet was proud, and vain, and in love with all distinctions.
  • Extract from : « The Man Shakespeare » by Frank Harris

Synonyms for vain

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019