vainly

/ˈveɪnli/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈenli] /ˈveɪnli/ (ame, ipa)

vainly — adverb

1. when you try hard to do something but do not get the result you wanted

1.副詞B2
釋義

when you try hard to do something but do not get the result you wanted

例句

Mei-Lin searched vainly for her keys before realising they were in her coat pocket.

Dr. Okafor spent three years trying vainly to find a cure for the rare disease.

try vainly + to-infinitive for failed effort

同義詞
  • in vain

    a common phrase with the same meaning; preferred in speech and most writing

  • unsuccessfully

    more neutral and straightforward; less literary than 'vainly'

  • to no avail

    slightly more formal; often used in narratives and reports

  • futilely

    stronger negative tone, suggesting the effort was pointless from the start; less common

反義詞
  • successfully

    direct opposite: achieving the desired result

  • effectively

    suggests the effort produced the intended outcome

文法句型

verb + vainly

vainly + verb

用法筆記

Much less common than the equivalent phrase 'in vain'. In everyday speech, 'in vain' is strongly preferred over 'vainly'. The adverb 'vainly' appears mainly in formal or literary writing.

常見錯誤

❌He looked vainly at his own reflection, admiring his new suit.' (intending 'with pride/concelt')
✅He looked at his own reflection with a vain expression, admiring his new suit.
💡The adverb 'vainly' rarely means 'in a conceited way'; use the adjective 'vain' or a phrase instead.