'Vain' definitions:

Definition of 'vain'

From: WordNet
adjective
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, vain]
adjective
Unproductive of success; "a fruitless search"; "futile years after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain attempt" [syn: bootless, fruitless, futile, sleeveless, vain]

Definition of 'Vain'

From: GCIDE
  • Vain \Vain\ (v[=a]n), 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Every man walketh in a vain show. --Ps. xxxix. 6. [1913 Webster]
  • Let no man deceive you with vain words. --Eph. v. 6. [1913 Webster]
  • Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye! --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Destitute of force or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt. [1913 Webster]
  • Bring no more vain oblations. --Isa. i. 13. [1913 Webster]
  • Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which the pile sustain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? --James ii. 20 (Rev. Ver.). [1913 Webster]
  • The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their art. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Showy; ostentatious. [1913 Webster]
  • Load some vain church with old theatric state. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal; shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant; deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Vain'

From: GCIDE
  • Vain \Vain\, n. Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase
  • in vain. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'vain'

From: Moby Thesaurus