vain

Etymology

From Middle English, borrowed from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”)

Pronunciation

• enPR: vān, IPA^(key): /veɪn/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophones: vane, vein
• Rhymes: -eɪn

Adjective

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

1. Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
   • (Can we date this quote?) 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 no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
   • William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

     thy vain excuse

   • Bible, Ephesians v. 6

     Let no man deceive you with vain words.

   • John Milton (1608-1674)

     Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.

3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

   vain toil;  a vain attempt

   • John Dryden (1631-1700)

     Vain is the force of man / To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.

   • (Can we date this quote?) William of Occam

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

   • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 6, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:

     But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion.

4. Showy; ostentatious.
   • Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

     Load some vain church with old theatric state.

Anagrams

• Ivan, Na'vi, Vani, Viña, vina

Alternative forms

• ven

Etymology

From Latin vīnum. Compare Istriot veîn.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /βeŋ/

Noun

vain m

1. wine

Etymology

Cognate with vaan, Estonian vaid. Probably from va +‎ -in or earlier equivalent.

Adverb

vain

1. only, merely, exclusively, solely, just
2. ever, in the phrasal adjective mikä vain
3. whenever, in the phrasal adjective milloin vain

Anagrams

• inva-, ivan, niva, vian

Etymology

From Old French vain, from Latin vānus.

Pronunciation

• audio

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /vɛ̃/
• Homophones: vin, vingt, vins, vint

Adjective

vain (feminine singular vaine, masculine plural vains, feminine plural vaines)

1. useless, ineffective, fruitless
2. vain, shallow

Further reading

• “vain” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Etymology

From Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).

Adjective

vain m

1. (Jersey) vain