vainly
gb/vˈeɪnli/ us/vˈeɪnli/
B2
English
~ 26100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
without success; fruitlessly
In a way that does not work or does not bring the result you want, even though you try.
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] vainly to [verb]
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.
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.)
Collocations
tried vainly to
|searched vainly for
|looked vainly for
|waited vainly for
|struggled vainly to
|called vainly for
Themes
success
|effort
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The firefighters tried vainly to save the old building from the flames.
- She searched vainly for her keys before finally calling a locksmith.
- 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.
- We looked vainly for a taxi late at night.
- He tried vainly to open the heavy door.
- They waited vainly for the bus in the rain.
adverb
literary
C1
property
2
in a proud, self-admiring way
In a way that shows you think you look very good or are very important, more than you should.
Usage pattern:
[someone] [verb] vainly at/about [something]
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.
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".)
Collocations
smiled vainly
|preened vainly
|admired himself vainly
|posed vainly
|glanced vainly in the mirror
Themes
personality
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He smiled vainly at his reflection, adjusting his tie again and again.
- She posed vainly for the cameras, certain that everyone admired her.
- 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.
- She talked vainly about how rich she was.
- The boy showed his new phone vainly to his friends.
- The singer smiled vainly at the fans, thinking only of himself.
Grammar
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.