DictionaryAI

vain

VAYN/veɪn/

Often confused with vane and vein

5 meanings of vain

Practice

  1. 1
    too proudadjective
    Thinking too well of yourself, especially of how you look or what you have done.

    She is so vain that she checks her hair in every mirror she passes.

    Don't be vain about one good grade. You still have to study.

    UsageOften too vain to do something.

    Similarconceited, arrogant, egotistical, cocky, boastful

    Oppositemodest, humble, unassuming, self-effacing

    Note
  2. 2
    failedadjective
    Not getting the result you wanted, so it was useless.

    He made a vain effort to catch the bus as it pulled away.

    Her vain shouts for help were lost in the wind.

    Similarfutile, pointless, useless, fruitless, ineffectual

    Oppositesuccessful, fruitful, effective

    Note
  3. 3
    emptyadjective
    Empty and worthless, with nothing real or important in it.

    He grew tired of the vain chatter at fancy parties.

    She found the party life vain and wanted something more real.

    UsageIn everyday speech, empty is more usual.

    Similarfutile, insignificant, idle, inconsequential, frivolous

    Oppositemeaningful, worthwhile

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    adjective
    Too fancy and made to look impressive.

    Similarflashy, gaudy, garish, loud, florid

    Oppositeunderstated, plain

  2. 5
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To stop something from working or succeeding.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of vain apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–4

From the Latin word vānus, meaning "empty". It came into English through French.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Meaning 5

Made from the adjective vain. It is known from only one use, around 1628, by the writer Owen Felltham.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts