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   vain

   /veɪn/

   adjective

   • 1. having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth: "their flattery made him vain" Similar conceitednarcissisticself-lovingin love with oneselfself-admiringself-regardingwrapped up in oneselfself-absorbedself-obsessedself-centredegotisticegotisticalegoisticegocentricegomaniacproudhaughtyarrogantboastfulswaggeringimperiousoverweeningcockyaffectedliterary:vaingloriousrare:peacockishhave an excessively high opinion of oneselfthink too highly of oneselfthink a lot of oneselfinformal:think one is the cat's whiskers/pyjamasthink one is God's gift (to women)Opposite modest
   • 2. producing no result; useless: "a vain attempt to tidy up the room" Similar futileuselesspointlessworthlessnugatoryto no purposein vainineffectiveineffectualinefficaciousimpotentpowerlessunavailingto no availfruitlessprofitlessunproductiveunsuccessfulfailedwithout successabortivemisfiredthwartedbalkedfrustratedfoiledarchaic:bootlessOpposite successfulproductive
   • ▪ having no likelihood of fulfilment; empty: "a vain boast"

   Word Origin Middle English (in the sense ‘devoid of real worth’): via Old French from Latin vanus ‘empty, without substance’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. vainness noun

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • V

     4

   • A

     1

   • I

     1

   • N

     1

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishVAIN | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning of vain as an adjective for something that is unsuccessful, useless, or selfish. See how to use vain in different contexts and expressions, such as in vain, vainly, and vain glory.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › vainVain Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › vain

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   The meaning of VAIN is having or showing undue or excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements : conceited. How to use vain in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Vain.

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5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryVAIN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of vain as an adjective for something that is unsuccessful, useless, or selfish. See how to use vain in different contexts and sentences with synonyms and antonyms.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › vainVAIN Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › vain

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   Vain definition: excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited. See examples of VAIN used in a sentence.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishVAIN definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   1 day ago · Learn the meaning and usage of the word vain, which can be an adjective, a noun, or an idiom. Find out the difference between vain and vainly, and see how to pronounce and spell vain in British and American English.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › vainVain - definition of vain by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › vain

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   Learn the meaning, usage, and origin of the adjective vain, which can describe something that is empty, futile, or conceited. Find synonyms, antonyms, idioms, and translations of vain in different languages.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishvain adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and usage of the adjective vain, which can mean not producing the desired result, too proud or taking someone's name in vain. See examples, synonyms and idioms with vain.