Definition of: vain

(vān) adjective
1. Elated with self-admiration; greedy of applause.
2. Characterized by frivolity.
3. Ostentatious; showy: said of things.
4. Unproductive; worthless; fruitless; useless.
5. Without any substantial foundation; empty; unreal.
—in vain
1. To no purpose; without effect.
2. In an irreverent or disrespectful manner: to take the Lord's name in vain. ♦ Homophones: vane, vein. [<F <L vanus empty]
—vain′ly adverb
—vain′ness noun Synonyms: abortive, baseless, delusive, empty, fruitless, futile, idle, ineffectual, profitless, shadowy, trifling, trivial, unavailing, useless, vapid, worthless. Vain keeps the etymological idea through all changes of meaning; a vain endeavor is empty of result, or of adequate power to produce a result, a vain pretension is empty or destitute of support, a vain person has a conceit that is empty or destitute of adequate cause or reason. See USELESS. Antonyms: effective, efficient, firm, potent, powerful, real, solid, sound, substantial, valid, valuable, worthy.