vainly
gb/vˈeɪnli/ us/vˈeɪnli/
B2
English
~ 26100
hiába, eredménytelenül, hiúan, hiú módon
B2
1
hiába
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] vainly to [verb]
The firefighters tried vainly to save the old building from the flames.
A tűzoltók hiába próbálták megmenteni a régi épületet a lángoktól.
She searched vainly for her keys before finally calling a locksmith.
Hiába kereste a kulcsait, mielőtt végül lakatost hívott.
He waited vainly for an apology that never came.
Scientists have worked vainly for years to prove that theory.
I shouted vainly over the noise of the crowd.
Learner examples
She called his name vainly in the empty street.
Hiába kiáltotta a nevét az üres utcában.
We looked vainly for a taxi late at night.
Késő éjjel hiába kerestünk taxit.
He tried vainly to open the heavy door.
They waited vainly for the bus in the rain.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "vainly" with the phrase "in vain". They are very close in meaning, but "vainly" is used directly before or after a verb ("tried vainly to help"), while "in vain" usually comes after the verb phrase ("tried to help in vain"). Learners also sometimes write *"in vainly"*, which is incorrect.
Meaning
without success; fruitlessly
Collocations
tried vainly to
|searched vainly for
|looked vainly for
|waited vainly for
|struggled vainly to
|called vainly for
Synonyms
unsuccessfully (More common and straightforward; focuses only on the lack of success and is less stylistically formal than "vainly".)
|
fruitlessly (Very close in meaning but often suggests that the effort was wasted or produced no useful result.)
Antonyms
successfully (Direct opposite, showing that the action did achieve its goal.)
|
effectively (Emphasizes that the action worked well and produced the intended result, unlike something done vainly.)
Themes
success
|effort
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that does not work or does not bring the result you want, even though you try.
In a way that does not succeed, despite effort or attempts; without achieving the desired result.
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] vainly at/about [something]
He smiled vainly at his reflection, adjusting his tie again and again.
Hiúan mosolygott a tükörképére, újra meg újra megigazítva a nyakkendőjét.
She posed vainly for the cameras, certain that everyone admired her.
Hiúan pózolt a kameráknak, biztos volt benne, hogy mindenki csodálja.
The actor waved vainly to the crowd, convinced they were all there to see him.
They boasted vainly about their minor successes as if they were great victories.
Learner examples
He looked vainly at himself in the mirror.
Hiúan nézte magát a tükörben.
She talked vainly about how rich she was.
Hiúan beszélt arról, milyen gazdag.
The boy showed his new phone vainly to his friends.
The singer smiled vainly at the fans, thinking only of himself.
Common mistake:
Learners often assume "vainly" always means "without success" and may miss this less common sense related to vanity. Context about pride, looks, or self-importance usually signals this meaning.
Meaning
in a proud, self-admiring way
Collocations
smiled vainly
|preened vainly
|admired himself vainly
|posed vainly
|glanced vainly in the mirror
Synonyms
pridefully (Emphasizes strong pride; often has a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone similar to "vainly" in this sense.)
|
self-admiringly (More explicit about looking at or thinking about oneself with approval; slightly more descriptive than "vainly".)
Antonyms
modestly (Shows a lack of pride or self-importance, the opposite of acting "vainly" in this sense.)
|
humbly (Stresses low self-importance and lack of arrogance, in contrast to the self-focused pride suggested by "vainly".)
Themes
personality
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a way that shows you think you look very good or are very important, more than you should.
In a way that shows too much pride in one’s appearance, abilities, or achievements; with vanity.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vainly
IPA
GB/vˈeɪnli/
US/vˈeɪnli/
Syllables & stress
vainly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (vainly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: vainly
- Plural: vainlies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.