vain
gb/vˈeɪn/ us/vˈeɪn/
B1
English
~ 1100
hiú, hiábavaló, hiába
B1
1
hiú
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is vain
She’s too vain to leave the house without makeup.
Túl hiú ahhoz, hogy smink nélkül elinduljon otthonról.
He became vain after winning the award.
Miután megnyerte a díjat, hiú lett.
People say he’s vain because he always talks about his success.
She was vain about her long, shiny hair.
Learner examples
He is vain about his clothes.
Nagyon hiú, ha a ruháiról van szó.
She is vain and likes to look in the mirror.
Hiú, és szeret a tükörbe nézni.
My brother is vain about his hair.
She is too vain to wear old shoes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vain' with 'vein' (blood vessel) or 'vain' meaning 'useless'. Context is key to avoid this mistake.
Meaning
Having too much self-pride
Collocations
vain person
|too vain
|vain about appearance
|vain man
|vain woman
Synonyms
conceited (Stronger negative connotation, often implying arrogance and self-importance.)
|
self-important (Focuses more on an exaggerated sense of one's importance than on appearance.)
Antonyms
modest (Suggests humility and lack of arrogance, opposite to excessive self-admiration.)
Themes
personality
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Thinking you are more attractive, smart, or important than you really are.
Having an excessively high opinion of one's own appearance, abilities, or worth.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
in vain
All their efforts to save the company were in vain.
Hiábavalónak bizonyult minden erőfeszítésük, amellyel megpróbálták megmenteni a céget.
He tried in vain to fix the old car.
Hiába próbálta megjavítani a régi autót.
Her search for the missing ring was in vain.
They fought in vain against the stronger army.
Learner examples
I called his name in vain.
Hiába szólítottam a nevén.
We tried in vain to open the door.
Hiába próbáltuk kinyitni az ajtót.
She looked for her keys in vain.
He ran in vain to catch the bus.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'in vain' with 'vain' meaning 'proud'. The phrase 'in vain' almost always means 'without success'.
Meaning
Without success or useless
Collocations
vain attempt
|vain effort
|in vain
Synonyms
futile (Emphasizes pointlessness due to impossibility of success.)
|
unsuccessful (Neutral term for not achieving the desired result.)
Antonyms
effective (Produces the intended result, opposite of 'without success'.)
Themes
results
|failure
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not successful; not bringing the wanted result.
Producing no result; having no effect or purpose.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vain
IPA
GB/vˈeɪn/
US/vˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
vain (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (vain)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: vain
- Comparative: vainer
- Superlative: vainest
Word family
Expressions
vain attempt
1/vˈeɪn ətˈɛmpt/
fixed phrase
Unsuccessful try at something
An effort that does not succeed.
Examples
- Their vain attempt to climb the mountain ended after two days.
- She made a vain attempt to change his mind.
vain hope
1/vˈeɪn hˈoʊp/
fixed phrase
Unrealistic or hopeless expectation
A hope that will not come true.
Examples
- He waited with the vain hope that she would return.
- It was a vain hope that the storm would pass quickly.
in vain
1/ˈɪn vˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
without success or effect
When you try but do not get any result.
Examples
- They tried to save the building, but it was in vain.
- I searched in vain for my lost keys.
in vain
2/ˈɪn vˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
Without success or uselessly
Without success; not achieving what you want.
Examples
- I tried in vain to reach her by phone.
- He searched in vain for a solution.