vainly
gb/vˈeɪnli/ us/vˈeɪnli/
B2
Anh
~ 26100
Các nghĩa
0 nghĩa
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.
Mẫu sử dụng:
[someone] [verb] vainly to [verb]
Lỗi thường gặp:
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.
Từ đồng nghĩa
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.)
Từ trái nghĩa
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.)
Cụm từ đi kèm
tried vainly to
|searched vainly for
|looked vainly for
|waited vainly for
|struggled vainly to
|called vainly for
Chủ đề
success
|effort
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Ví dụ
- 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.
Ví dụ cho người học
- 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.
Mẫu sử dụng:
[someone] [verb] vainly at/about [something]
Lỗi thường gặp:
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.
Từ đồng nghĩa
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".)
Từ trái nghĩa
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".)
Cụm từ đi kèm
smiled vainly
|preened vainly
|admired himself vainly
|posed vainly
|glanced vainly in the mirror
Chủ đề
personality
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Ví dụ
- 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.
Ví dụ cho người học
- 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.
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