vain
/veɪn/
ADJECTIVE
1. Excessively proud of oneself
Having an excessively high opinion of oneself, especially one's appearance, abilities, or accomplishments, often without sufficient reason.
1.1. Conceited and self-important
Describes people who have an exaggerated sense of their own importance, abilities, attractiveness, or achievements and consider themselves superior to others.
Synonyms
- arrogant
- conceited
- egotistical
- egotistic
- egocentric
- pompous
- haughty
- overweening
- self-important
- self-centered
- self-conceited
- prideful
- smug
- supercilious
- stuck-up
- snobbish
- swellheaded
- vainglorious
Antonyms
- humble
- modest
- unassuming
- unpretentious
- egoless
- meek
- diffident
- bashful
- self-critical
Examples
- Despite his vain attempts to impress, his true character spoke louder than his words.
- The author wrote not for fame but to share her passion, free from the allure of vain recognition.
Related Words
- narcissistic
- self-absorbed
- self-obsessed
- self-satisfied
- self-glorifying
- self-promoting
- boastful
- cocky
- overconfident
- bumptious
- uppity
- presumptuous
1.2. Showy and ostentatious behavior
Describes people, attitudes, or appearances that display excessive pride through exaggerated, flashy, or self-important behavior intended to attract admiration.
Synonyms
- ostentatious
- pretentious
- showy
- pompous
- grandiose
- bombastic
- flamboyant
- haughty
- highfalutin
- high-and-mighty
- snobbish
- swaggering
- self-aggrandizing
Antonyms
- modest
- humble
- unpretentious
- unassuming
- demure
- down-to-earth
Related Words
- flashy
- gaudy
- glitzy
- grandiloquent
- self-dramatizing
- self-glorifying
- high-handed
- supercilious
ADJECTIVE
2. Having no value or importance
Lacking real substance, worth, significance, or usefulness; empty, worthless, or meaningless.
2.1. Worthless or insignificant
Describes things, efforts, or qualities that have little or no practical value, importance, significance, or meaningful result.
Synonyms
- worthless
- valueless
- meaningless
- insignificant
- trivial
- pointless
- nugatory
- null
- void
- empty
- hollow
- profitless
- useless
- unimportant
- paltry
- petty
- puny
- trifling
Antonyms
- valuable
- worthwhile
- worthy
- meaningful
- important
- significant
- precious
- prized
- invaluable
- cherished
Examples
- His vain pursuit of perfection left him unsatisfied, as he failed to appreciate the beauty of imperfection.
Related Words
- futile
- fruitless
- barren
- sterile
- deficient
- inadequate
- inferior
- substandard
- insufficient
- second-rate
ADJECTIVE
3. Producing no useful result
Having no effect or achieving no intended purpose; futile, unsuccessful, or ineffective.
3.1. Futile or unsuccessful efforts
Describes attempts, actions, or efforts that fail to achieve their intended goal or produce the desired outcome despite being undertaken.
Synonyms
- futile
- fruitless
- abortive
- bootless
- ineffective
- ineffectual
- unavailing
- unsuccessful
- pointless
- profitless
- useless
- unproductive
- time-wasting
Antonyms
- effective
- effectual
- efficacious
- successful
- productive
- fruitful
- profitable
- useful
- worthwhile
Examples
- She spent hours perfecting her appearance, but her efforts proved vain in the pouring rain.
Related Words
- hopeless
- counterproductive
- inadequate
- impossible
- unattainable
- going nowhere
- of no avail
- no-win