English Explanatory Dictionary

vain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
  2. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
  3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
  4. Showy; ostentatious.
verb
  1. To frustrate.
noun
  1. Acronym of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

Pronunciation

vān /veɪn/ en-us-vain.ogg /ven/ /vein/

Word forms

vain vainer more vain vainest most vain wayn vains vaining vained

Etymology

From Middle English veyn, from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).

Synonyms

conceited narcissistic self-adoring self-admiring self-obsessed vain vainglorious flatulent puffed up inflated airy arrogant chesty authoritarian biggity big-headed blustery boastful bombastic buggish cocky disdainful domineering egotistical entitled flaunting full of oneself glorious grandiose hankty haught haughty haut high-handed high-hat high and mighty highfalutin hoity-toity holier-than-thou hubristic hubristical imperious insolent la-di-da orgulous ostentatious overbearing overweening pompous presumptuous pretentious priggish sanctimonious self-important snobbish snooty snotty stout stuck up supercilious

Antonyms

modest nonnarcissistic

Related words

vanity one-dimensional shallow superficial arrogance beauty

Derived words

Richard of York gave battle in vain take someone's name in vain in vain vainness vainly
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