vain
2 dictionary results for: Vainest
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
vain 
[veyn] Pronunciation Key,
—Related forms
[veyn] Pronunciation Key, –adjective, -er, -est.
—Idiom
| 1. | excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy. |
| 2. | proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks. |
| 3. | ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort. |
| 4. | without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display. |
| 5. | Archaic. senseless or foolish. |
| 6. | in vain,
|
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME < OF < L vānus empty, vain]
] —Related forms
vainly, adverb
vainness, noun
—Synonyms 1. egotistical, self-complacent, vainglorious, proud, arrogant, overweening. 3. fruitless, unavailing. 4. unimportant, trivial, trifling, nugatory. See useless.
—Antonyms 1. humble. 3. useful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| vain
(vān) Pronunciation Key
adj. vain·er, vain·est
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin vānus, empty; see euə- in Indo-European roots.] vain'ly adv., vain'ness n. Synonyms: These adjectives mean lacking value or substance: vain regrets; empty pleasures; hollow threats; idle dreams; nugatory commentaries; an otiose belief in alchemy. See Also Synonyms at futile. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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