Vain Meaning
/veɪn/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOverly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
adjHaving no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
Sentence Examples
All my haste was in vain.
We knocked at the door for five minutes, but in vain.
She searched in vain for her passport.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The extremely ____ Hollywood actor always demanded perfect lighting for every photo.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He made a ____ attempt to fix the broken machine, but it eventually became clear that a professional was needed today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English veyn, from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed."
— 1959, Leo Rosten, The return of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N:
"I will not hear thy vain excuse"
— c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
"Let no man deceive you with vain words."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ephesians 5:6:
"Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy."
— 1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
"Vain is the force of man / To crush the pillars which the pile sustain."
— 1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The extremely ____ Hollywood actor always demanded perfect lighting for every photo.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He made a ____ attempt to fix the broken machine, but it eventually became clear that a professional was needed today.