Vain
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /veɪn/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Vain is an adjective meaning Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
Meaning
Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
More Meanings
- Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
- Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
- Showy; ostentatious.
- (transitive, rare, dated, obsolete) To frustrate.
Example Sentences
vain toil a vain attempt
I will not hear thy vain excuse
Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.
Let no man deceive you with vain words.
Word Forms
- vainer
- vainest
- vains
- vaining
- vained
Synonyms for vain
Depending on context, synonyms include conceited, narcissistic, self-obsessed, vainglorious, flatulent, inflated.
Antonyms for vain
Common opposites include modest, nonnarcissistic.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include conceited, self-conceited, egotistical, proud, futile, unproductive.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.