Search Result for "vain": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance;
- Example: "a conceited fool"
- Example: "an attitude of self-conceited arrogance"
- Example: "an egotistical disregard of others"
- Example: "so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty"
- Example: "growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary"
- Example: "vain about her clothes"
[syn: conceited, egotistic, egotistical, self-conceited, swollen, swollen-headed, vain]

2. unproductive of success;
- Example: "a fruitless search"
- Example: "futile years after her artistic peak"
- Example: "a sleeveless errand"
- Example: "a vain attempt"
[syn: bootless, fruitless, futile, sleeveless, vain]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Vain \Vain\ (v[=a]n), a. [Compar. Vainer; superl. Vainest.]
   [F. vain, L. vanus empty, void, vain. Cf. Vanish, Vanity,
   Vaunt to boast.]
   1. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty;
      void; worthless; unsatisfying. "Thy vain excuse." --Shak.
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            Every man walketh in a vain show.     --Ps. xxxix.
                                                  6.
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            Let no man deceive you with vain words. --Eph. v. 6.
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            Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye!
                                                  --Shak.
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            Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy. --Milton.
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   2. Destitute of force or efficacy; effecting no purpose;
      fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.
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            Bring no more vain oblations.         --Isa. i. 13.
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            Vain is the force of man
            To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having
      a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight
      reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.
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            But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart
            from works is barren?                 --James ii. 20
                                                  (Rev. Ver.).
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            The minstrels played on every side,
            Vain of their art.                    --Dryden.
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   4. Showy; ostentatious.
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            Load some vain church with old theatric state.
                                                  --Pope.
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   Syn: Empty; worthless; fruitless; ineffectual; idle; unreal;
        shadowy; showy; ostentatious; light; inconstant;
        deceitful; delusive; unimportant; trifling.
        [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Vain \Vain\, n.
   Vanity; emptiness; -- now used only in the phrase

   in vain.
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   For vain. See In vain. [Obs.] --Shak.

   In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectually. " In
      vain doth valor bleed." --Milton. " In vain they do
      worship me." --Matt. xv. 9.

   To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God
      with levity or profaneness.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

vain
    adj 1: characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated
           sense of self-importance; "a conceited fool"; "an
           attitude of self-conceited arrogance"; "an egotistical
           disregard of others"; "so swollen by victory that he was
           unfit for normal duty"; "growing ever more swollen-headed
           and arbitrary"; "vain about her clothes" [syn:
           conceited, egotistic, egotistical, self-
           conceited, swollen, swollen-headed, vain]
    2: unproductive of success; "a fruitless search"; "futile years
       after her artistic peak"; "a sleeveless errand"; "a vain
       attempt" [syn: bootless, fruitless, futile,
       sleeveless, vain]