vain
verbEtymology A conversion of the adjectival form of vain. The only use of this verb in English appears c. 1628 in the writings of Owen Felltham.
vain
adjUS, UK /veɪn/ · SC /ven/
Etymology From Middle English veyn, from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).
1
Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
- 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:
2
Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
- I will not hear thy vain excusec. 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:
1 more example
- 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:
3
Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
- vain toil a vain attempt
- 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:
2 more examples
- At our old pastimes in the hall We gambol’d, making vain pretence Of gladness, with an awful sense Of one mute Shadow watching all.1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXX”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 48:
- 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.1921, Ben Travers, chapter 6, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
4
Showy; ostentatious.
- Yet ſhall (my Lord) your juſt, your noble Rules / Fill half the land with imitating Fools: / VVho random dravvings from your ſheets ſhall take, / And of one beauty many blunders make; / Load ſome vain Church with old Theatric State, / Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate, […]1735, Alexander Pope, “Epistle 4”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume II, London: […] J. Wright, for Lawton Gilliver […], →OCLC, page 40, lines 25–30:
- Synonyms
- conceited, narcissistic, self-adoring, self-admiring, self-obsessed, vain, vainglorious
- Antonyms
- modest, nonnarcissistic
- Derived terms
- Richard of York gave battle in vain, take someone's name in vain, in vain, vainness, vainly
- Related terms
- vanity, one-dimensional, shallow, superficial, arrogance, beauty
- Hypernyms
- coxcombical, proud, self-absorbed