Definitions for vain

• Definition
• Anagrams (36)

vain vain

Spelling: [veyn]

IPA: /veɪn/

Vain is a 4 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 7 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 9 points.

You can make 36 anagrams from letters in vain (ainv).

Definitions for vain

Idioms

1. in vain, without effect or avail; to no purpose: in an improper or irreverent manner:

adjective

1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited:
2. proceeding from or showing pride in or concern about one's appearance, qualities, etc.; resulting from or displaying vanity:
3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile:
4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless:
5. Archaic. senseless or foolish.

Origin of vain

1250-1300; Middle English Old French Latin vānus empty, vain

Examples for vain

You look in vain for any outward signs of profligacy or debauchery.

Ambrose felt almost despairing as he heard in vain the last name.

In vain, fishermen waited for the sea to come back: there were no fish, there was no money for their families.

Faulkner, Whitman, and Dickinson did not labor in vain; their books live on, horizontally, stacked like bricks in a display case.

In many engagements volunteers asked regular army commanders for support, transport and ammunition, but often in vain.

O the words of kindness, all to be expressed in vain, that flowed from her lips!

Weary and restless with vain waiting, they looked from the doorway at the weather.

Fonda tried in vain to convince Jarrow and Archer to ditch the project.

Asserting our right to free speech is the only to ensure that 12 people did not die in vain.

But, bound as he was, we can understand why they looked in vain.