3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Vain  \Vain\,  a.  [Compar.  {Vainer};  superl.  {Vainest}.]  [F.  vain, 
  L.  vanus  empty,  void,  vain.  Cf  {Vanish},  {Vanity},  {Vaunt} 
  to  boast.] 
  1.  Having  no  real  substance,  value,  or  importance;  empty; 
  void;  worthless;  unsatisfying.  ``Thy  vain  excuse.'' 
  --Shak. 
 
  Every  man  walketh  in  a  vain  show  --Ps.  xxxix 
  6. 
 
  Let  no  man  deceive  you  with  vain  words  --Eph.  v.  6. 
 
  Vain  pomp,  and  glory  of  this  world,  I  hate  ye! 
  --Shak. 
 
  Vain  visdom  all  and  false  philosophy.  --Milton. 
 
  2.  Destitute  of  forge  or  efficacy;  effecting  no  purpose; 
  fruitless;  ineffectual;  as  vain  toil;  a  vain  attempt. 
 
  Bring  no  more  vain  oblations.  --Isa.  i.  13. 
 
  Vain  is  the  force  of  man  To  crush  the  pillars  which 
  the  pile  sustain.  --Dryden. 
 
  3.  Proud  of  petty  things  or  of  trifling  attainments;  having 
  a  high  opinion  of  one's  own  accomplishments  with  slight 
  reason;  conceited;  puffed  up  inflated. 
 
  But  wilt  thou  know  O  vain  man,  that  faith  apart 
  from  works  is  barren?  --James  ii  20 
  (Rev.  Ver.). 
 
  The  minstrels  played  on  every  side  Vain  of  their 
  art.  --Dryden. 
 
  4.  Showy;  ostentatious. 
 
  Load  some  vain  church  with  old  theatric  state. 
  --Pope. 
 
  Syn:  Empty;  worthless;  fruitless;  ineffectual;  idle;  unreal; 
  shadowy;  showy;  ostentatious;  light;  inconstant; 
  deceitful;  delusive;  unimportant;  trifling. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Vain  \Vain\,  n. 
  Vanity;  emptiness;  --  now  used  only  in  the  phrase  in  vain. 
 
  {For  vain}.  See  {In  vain}.  [Obs.]  --Shak. 
 
  {In  vain},  to  no  purpose;  without  effect;  ineffectually.  `` 
  In  vain  doth  valor  bleed.''  --Milton.  ``  In  vain  they  do 
  worship  me.''  --Matt.  xv  9. 
 
  {To  take  the  name  of  God  in  vain},  to  use  the  name  of  God 
  with  levity  or  profaneness. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  vain 
  adj  1:  characteristic  of  false  pride;  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  more 
  swollen-headed  and  arbitrary";  "vain  about  her 
  clothes"  [syn:  {conceited},  {egotistic},  {egotistical}, 
  {self-conceited},  {swollen},  {swollen-headed}] 
  2:  unproductive  of  success;  "a  fruitless  search";  "futile  years 
  after  her  artistic  peak";  "a  sleeveless  errand";  "a  vain 
  attempt"  [syn:  {bootless},  {fruitless},  {futile},  {sleeveless}] 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words