VAIN Meaning and
Definition
-
Vain is an adjective that is commonly used to describe someone who is excessively proud or too concerned with their own appearance, abilities, or achievements. It can also refer to actions or efforts that are futile or without any practical purpose or result.
When describing a person, vain indicates an excessive preoccupation with oneself or one's own attributes, often accompanied by an inflated sense of self-importance. Someone who is vain is overly concerned with their physical appearance, constantly seeking validation or admiration from others, and may prioritize their own needs and desires above those of others. Such individuals often display a high level of arrogance and may be dismissive of others' opinions or feelings.
In terms of actions or efforts, vain refers to those that are ineffective or unsuccessful, despite being pursued with great effort or enthusiasm. It suggests a lack of practicality or usefulness, with little or no positive outcome achieved. For example, attempting a task in a vain manner implies that the effort was wasted or futile.
In a religious or moral sense, vain can also denote blasphemy or making improper use of sacred things. This usage is less common in everyday language but still relevant in certain contexts.
Overall, vain characterizes individuals, actions, or efforts that are characterized by an excessive focus on oneself, a lack of practicality, or failure to achieve the desired outcome.
-
Proud of trifling attainments; having an unduly high opinion of one's own accomplishments; ineffectual; fruitless, as an effort; unsatisfying.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for VAIN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for VAIN
Etymology of VAIN
The word "vain" originates from the Old French term "vain", which itself comes from the Latin word "vanus", meaning empty or hollow.
Idioms with the word VAIN
-
in vain
The idiom "in vain" means that something was done without success or without achieving the desired outcome, often despite significant effort or effort that was foolish or pointless.
-
take sb's name in vain
The idiom "take someone's name in vain" means to use or mention someone's name disrespectfully, irreverently, or without proper purpose. It typically refers to speaking blasphemously about a religious figure, such as invoking God's name without reverence or for trivial matters.
-
take name in vain
The idiom "take name in vain" refers to the act of using someone's name, especially the name of a higher power or deity, in a disrespectful or insincere manner. It often implies using religious or sacred names in a profane or irreverent way, typically to express anger, frustration, or to emphasize a point without genuine regard for the religious or spiritual significance.
Similar spelling words for VAIN
