English Explanatory Dictionary

vainly

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. In a vain pursuit; to no avail.
  2. With a vain attitude; in a self-approving manner.

Pronunciation

/ˈveɪnli/ en-us-vainly.ogg

Word forms

vainly vainlier more vainly vainliest most vainly

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English vaynly, veynly, vaynely, veynely, equivalent to vain + -ly.

Synonyms

in vain
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