in vain
- 1Without success or result, so that the effort ends in failure.
Rescuers searched in vain for survivors until nightfall.
He waited in vain for a reply that never came.
Similarvainly, unsuccessfully, fruitlessly, uselessly
Oppositesuccessfully
Note
It usually trails the verb of effort it passes judgment on (tried in vain, climbed in vain) and negated it turns from failure to worth. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address of 1863 resolves that "these dead shall not have died in vain": not unsuccessful, but not wasted. Vainly says the same thing in one word.
- 2Unsuccessful, having failed to bring about what was intended.
The appeal for calm proved in vain as the crowd surged toward the gates.
Months of negotiation were in vain when the deal collapsed at the last minute.
Similarfutile, fruitless, useless, unavailing, unsuccessful
Oppositesuccessful, fruitful, effective
Note
As an adjective it stands after be or prove (the effort was in vain, the appeal proved in vain) and rarely before a noun. Phrasing like the in vain efforts does turn up, but it reads as awkward to most ears, and vain efforts or unsuccessful efforts fills that slot more naturally.
- 3In a disrespectful or insincere way, without honoring the proper meaning of what is said.
The coach hated hearing his players take God's name in vain on the field.
Many religious families teach their children never to take the Lord's name in vain.
Note
Nearly all its life is spent in one formula, take someone's name in vain, from the commandment in the King James Bible of 1611: "Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vaine." Applied to an ordinary person's name, the phrase turns playful. Outside that formula, in vain will be read as without success, so it is no general word for disrespect.
Practice
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