vain

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Homophones 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.3.5 External links 2 Finnish 2.1 Adverb 3 French 3.1 Pronunciation 3.2 Adjective 3.2.1 Synonyms 3.2.2 Related terms

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Middle English vain < Old French vain < Latin vānus (“‘empty’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /veɪn/
• enPR: vān
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -eɪn

[edit] Adjective

vain (comparative vainer or more vain, superlative vainest or most vain)

1. overly proud of oneself, especially when concerning appearance
   • Leo Rosten:

     Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.

2. having very little substance
3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
   • William of Occam:

     It is vain to do with more what can be done with fewer.

[edit] Synonyms

• (pointless): pointless, futile, fruitless, ineffectual
• See also Wikisaurus:arrogant
• See also Wikisaurus:futile

[edit] Homophones

• vane
• vein

[edit] Related terms

• in vain
• vainness
• vainly
• vanity
• shallow

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• vain in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• vain in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

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[edit] Finnish

[edit] Adverb

vain

1. only, merely, exclusively, solely, just

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[edit] French

[edit] Pronunciation

•  audio^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

vain m. (f. vaine, m. plural vains, f. plural vaines)

1. useless, ineffective

[edit] Synonyms

• inutile

[edit] Related terms

• vanité
• vaniteux