vain
79
3.9
- adjective
- /veɪn/
:
inútil
- Despite their hard work, all their efforts to find the lost cat were in vain.
- try in vain
- a vain effort
- a vain attempt
Is there an advance in knowing not only that everything else is vain, but even your own attitude towards it is also vain?
- Is there an advance in knowing not only that everything else is vain, but even your own attitude towards it is also vain?
- He says it is vain to say that enlightened statesman will be able to adjust these clashing interests.
- I meaning a fanciful, vain attempt at something is quixotic.
- For neither do men live nor die in vain.
- I just hope my tragedy and Jimmy's death isn't in vain.
- Think long and hard and please don't let the last two years have been in vain.
- It's a violation of other obligations that she has, but she strives in vain.
- All of that in the Enlightenment becomes seen as vain.
- In fact, they kind of look like a cloud as they fall backwards in this vain game.
Examples
-
So, his sacrifice for us would not have been in vain.
-
Too many aspiring authors send blind letters of inquiry in the vain hope of piquing the recipient's interest.
Academic text (2011) -
Do you guys ever feel like some of it's in vain because of that?
-
Every evening, I try in vain to throw it out of my mind.
Fiction book (1992) -
Your death will not be in vain!
-
Please, Mr. Lee, if you do this, everything will be in vain.
-
Many are unaware of the coming changes, while those who are attempt in vain to prevent them.
Academic text (1999) -
Don't let their deaths be in vain.
-
Well, we've driven all this way, and it has definitely not been in vain.
-
I found myself looking in vain for blue flowers amidst the snow and cliffs.
Fiction book (1995)
Synonyms
157
3.5
Not doing anything useful
108
3.7
Without success despite trying to do something
84
6.0
Not likely to work or help
24
4.8
Not giving the results you want
1
9.9
Not producing any useful result or success
Antonyms
Idioms
How Futile
Surface Forms
Etymology
Vain also comes from the old Latin word vanus, meaning 'empty'. A 'vain' attempt is like an 'empty' effort that gives no result, so the word also means pointless or useless.