vain

/veɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /veɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈvān/ (ame, mw)

vain — adjective

  • vainpositive
  • vainercomparative
  • vainestsuperlative

1. Describes a hope, effort, or attempt that produces no useful result or success,

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Describes a hope, effort, or attempt that produces no useful result or success, no matter how hard one tries.

例句

Despite months of training, Eitan's vain attempt to break the record ended in disappointment.

vain attempt to + infinitive

The rescue team made a vain effort to reach the stranded climbers before the storm.

同義詞
  • futile

    More formal; suggests the attempt was doomed from the start

  • pointless

    Less formal; focuses on the lack of purpose rather than the outcome

  • useless

    Very common and broad; can refer to things that are simply not helpful

反義詞

文法句型

vain + noun (attempt, hope, effort, promise)

prove + vain

be + vain

用法筆記

Most often placed before nouns such as attempt, effort, hope, promise, or struggle. Slightly more formal than 'pointless' or 'useless'.

常見錯誤

❌His efforts were vain to save the company.
✅His efforts to save the company were in vain.
💡'vain' alone sounds unnatural as a complement before a to-infinitive; use 'in vain' instead.
❌She did a vain try.
✅She made a vain attempt.
💡'vain' does not pair naturally with the noun 'try'; use 'attempt' or 'effort'.

2. Used to say that someone carries out an action with effort or determination but

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Used to say that someone carries out an action with effort or determination but gets no result at all.

例句

Minh searched in vain for the keys he had dropped somewhere in the snowy park.

searched in vain for + noun phrase

The firefighters tried vainly to rescue the cat from the top of the burning warehouse.

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

verb + in vain

vainly + verb

be + in vain

用法筆記

This sense appears almost exclusively in the fixed phrase 'in vain' (placed after a verb) or the adverb 'vainly' (before or after a verb). Do NOT use 'vain' alone as an adverb — 'He tried vain' is incorrect.

常見錯誤

❌He tried vain.
✅He tried in vain.' or 'He tried vainly.
💡'vain' is an adjective and cannot serve as an adverb on its own.
❌Vainly, his attempts helped nobody.' (ambiguous position)
✅His attempts vainly helped nobody.
💡'vainly' usually sounds more natural when placed right before or after the main verb.

3. Believing that your looks, skills, or accomplishments are much better than they

3.形容詞B2
釋義

Believing that your looks, skills, or accomplishments are much better than they really are, and wanting others to notice and praise you.

例句

Devika's brother was so vain he checked his reflection in every shop window they passed.

so vain that + clause (result pattern)

The actor's vain habit of retaking selfies annoyed the crew during the busy film shoot.

同義詞
  • conceited

    Very close in meaning; slightly more negative and informal

  • narcissistic

    Stronger and more clinical; suggests a personality disorder involving extreme self-focus

  • self-absorbed

    Focuses on being preoccupied with oneself rather than being proud

反義詞
  • modest

    Does not boast or draw attention to oneself

  • humble

    Shows a realistic or low opinion of one's own importance

文法句型

be + vain

vain + noun (person)

vain about + noun/gerund

so + vain + that-clause

用法筆記

Commonly describes someone who spends excessive time on appearance or boasts about achievements. Less strong than 'arrogant' — being vain centres on self-image and the need for admiration, whereas arrogance implies a sense of superiority over others.

常見錯誤

❌She is vain of her new dress.
✅She is vain about her appearance.
💡Use 'about', not 'of', to introduce the object of vanity.
❌He is a vain person because he won the race.
✅He became vain after winning the race.
💡Being vain is a lasting character trait, not a temporary reaction to a single event.