vain
gb/vˈeɪn/ us/vˈeɪn/
B1
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Having too much self-pride
Thinking you are more attractive, smart, or important than you really are.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is vain
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vain' with 'vein' (blood vessel) or 'vain' meaning 'useless'. Context is key to avoid this mistake.
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.)
Collocations
vain person
|too vain
|vain about appearance
|vain man
|vain woman
Themes
personality
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s too vain to leave the house without makeup.
- He became vain after winning the award.
- 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.
- She is vain and likes to look in the mirror.
- My brother is vain about his hair.
- She is too vain to wear old shoes.
adjective
B2
property
2
Without success or useless
Not successful; not bringing the wanted result.
Usage pattern:
in vain
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'in vain' with 'vain' meaning 'proud'. The phrase 'in vain' almost always means 'without success'.
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'.)
Collocations
vain attempt
|vain effort
|in vain
Themes
results
|failure
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- All their efforts to save the company were in vain.
- He tried in vain to fix the old car.
- 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.
- We tried in vain to open the door.
- She looked for her keys in vain.
- He ran in vain to catch the bus.
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.