vain: Meaning and Definition of

vain

Pronunciation: (vān), [key]
— -er, -est.
  1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy.
  2. proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks.
  3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort.
  4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display.
  5. senseless or foolish.
  6. to apologize in vain.
    1. without effect or avail; to no purpose:to apologize in vain.
    2. in an improper or irreverent manner:to take God's name in vain.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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