ALL meanings of in vain
in vain
I i - adverb in vain pointlessly, for nothing 1
- adjective in vain excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy. 1
- adjective in vain proceeding from or showing pride in or concern about one's appearance, qualities, etc.; resulting from or displaying vanity: He made some vain remarks about his accomplishments. 1
- adjective in vain ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: vain hopes; a vain effort; a vain war. 1
- adjective in vain without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display. 1
- adjective in vain Archaic. senseless or foolish. 1
- idioms in vain in vain, without effect or avail; to no purpose: lives lost in vain; to apologize in vain. in an improper or irreverent manner: to take God's name in vain. 1
- phrase in vain If you do something in vain, you do not succeed in achieving what you intend. 0
- phrase in vain If you say that something such as someone's death, suffering, or effort was in vain, you mean that it was useless because it did not achieve anything. 0
- noun in vain to no avail; fruitlessly 0
- noun in vain fruitlessly; vainly 0
- noun in vain lightly; profanely; irreverently 0
- adverb in vain (Idiomatic) Without success or a result; ending in failure. 0
- adverb in vain (Idiomatic) In a disrespectful manner, especially when concerning religion. 0