| 释义 |
(veɪn) Word forms: comparative vainer, superlative vainest1. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended. The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule. I was singing in a vain effort to cheer him up. Synonyms: futile, useless, pointless, unsuccessful More Synonyms of vain vainly adverb [ADVERB with verb] He hunted vainly through his pockets for a piece of paper. 2. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]If you describe a hope that something will happen as a vain hope, you mean that there is no chance of it happening. He glanced around in the vain hope that there were no witnesses. vainly adverb [ADVERB with verb] He then set out for Virginia for what he vainly hoped would be a peaceful retirement. 3. adjectiveIf you describe someone as vain, you are critical of their extreme pride in their own beauty, intelligence, or other good qualities. [disapproval] I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy. More Synonyms of vain (veɪn) adjective1. inordinately proud of one's appearance, possessions, or achievements 2. given to ostentatious display, esp of one's beauty noun5. in vain 6. take someone's name in vain Derived forms vainly (ˈvainly) adverb vainness (ˈvainness) noun Word origin C13: via Old French from Latin vānus (veɪn) adjective1. having no real value or significance; worthless, empty, idle, hollow, etc. vain pomp 2. without force or effect; futile, fruitless, unprofitable, unavailing, etc. a vain endeavor 3. having or showing an excessively high regard for one's self, looks, possessions, ability, etc.; indulging in or resulting from personal vanity; conceited 4. Archaic lacking in sense; foolish SIMILAR WORDS: ˈfutile SYNONYMY NOTE: vain, in this connection, applies to that which has little or no real value, worth, ormeaning [vain studies]; idle refers to that which is baseless or worthless because it can never be realized [idle hopes, idle talk]; empty, hollow are used of that which only appears to be genuine, sincere, worthwhile, etc. [empty threats, hollow pleasures]; otiose applies to that which has no real purpose or function and is therefore useless orsuperfluous [otiose remarks] Derived forms vainness (ˈvainness) noun Word origin OFr < L vanus, empty, vain: see want More idioms containingvain take God's name in vain take someone's or something's name in vain Examples of 'vain' in a sentencevain British English: vain / veɪn/ ADJECTIVEattempt A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended. The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule. - American English: vain
- Arabic: باَطِل
- Brazilian Portuguese: vaidoso
- Chinese: 徒然的
- Croatian: uzaludan
- Czech: marný bezvýsledný
- Danish: frugtesløs
- Dutch: vergeefs
- European Spanish: vano
- Finnish: turhamainen
- French: vaniteux
- German: eitel
- Greek: μάταιος
- Italian: vano
- Japanese: うぬぼれの強い
- Korean: 허영심이 강한
- Norwegian: forfengelig
- Polish: próżny zadufany
- European Portuguese: vaidoso
- Romanian: zadarnic
- Russian: тщетный
- Latin American Spanish: vanidoso
- Swedish: fåfäng
- Thai: ไร้ประโยชน์
- Turkish: kendini beğenmiş
- Ukrainian: марний
- Vietnamese: vô hiệu
British English: vain ADJECTIVEperson If you describe someone as vain, you are critical of their extreme pride in their own beauty, intelligence, or other good qualities. He wasn't so vain as to think he was smarter than his boss. - American English: vain
- Brazilian Portuguese: vaidoso
- Chinese: 徒劳的
- European Spanish: presumido
- French: vaniteux
- German: eitel
- Italian: presuntuoso
- Japanese: 無駄な
- Korean: 허영심이 많은
- European Portuguese: vaidoso
- Latin American Spanish: presumido
Chinese translation of 'vain' adj - (= conceited) [person]
自负(負)的 (zìfù de) - (= useless) [attempt, action, hope]
徒劳(勞)的 (túláo de) in vain 徒然 (túrán) to die in vain 白白死去 (báibái sǐqù)
Definition senseless or unsuccessful They worked all night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule. Synonyms Opposites successful , profitable , worthwhile , serious , useful , valid , worthy , fruitful Definition excessively proud of one's appearance or achievements Don't worry about what he said, he's shallow, vain and self-centred. Synonyms narcissistic inflated swaggering egotistical vainglorious swollen-headed (informal) pleased with yourself peacockish Opposites modest , humble , meek , self-deprecating , bashful Additional synonymsDefinition failing to achieve its purpose an abortive attempt to prevent him from taking office Synonyms failed, failing, useless, vain, unsuccessful, idle, ineffective, futile, fruitless, unproductive, ineffectual, miscarried, unavailing, bootlessDefinition having an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance or ability an air of arrogant indifference Synonyms conceited, lordly, assuming, proud, swaggering, pompous, pretentious, stuck up (informal), cocky, contemptuous, blustering, imperious, overbearing, haughty, scornful, puffed up, egotistical, disdainful, self-important, presumptuous, high-handed, insolent, supercilious, high and mighty (informal), overweening, immodest, swollen-headed, bigheaded (informal), uppish (British, informal), too big for your boots or breeches What an arrogant, bigheaded bully. Synonyms boastful, arrogant, swaggering, bragging, cocky, vaunting, conceited, puffed-up, bumptious, immodest, crowing, overconfident, vainglorious, swollen-headed, egotistic, full of yourself, too big for your boots or breeches Additional synonymsDefinition excessively proud of oneself He was a little cocky because he was winning all the time. Synonyms overconfident, arrogant, brash, swaggering, conceited, egotistical, cocksure, swollen-headed, vain, full of yourselfDefinition without purpose, substance, or value Without my friends my life would be lonely and empty. Synonyms worthless, meaningless, hollow, pointless, unsatisfactory, futile, unreal, senseless, frivolous, fruitless, aimless, inane, valueless, purposeless, otiose, bootless (old-fashioned), MT Definition producing nothing of value It was a fruitless search. Synonyms useless, vain, unsuccessful, in vain, pointless, futile, unproductive, abortive, to no avail, ineffectual, unprofitable, to no effect, unavailing, unfruitful, profitless, bootlessDefinition without any real value or worth Any threat to bring in the police is a hollow one. Synonyms worthless, empty, useless, vain, meaningless, pointless, futile, fruitless, specious, Pyrrhic, unavailingDefinition ineffective or useless It would be idle to pretend the system is worthless. Synonyms useless, vain, pointless, hopeless, unsuccessful, ineffective, worthless, futile, fruitless, unproductive, abortive, ineffectual, groundless, of no use, valueless, disadvantageous, unavailing, otiose, of no avail, profitless, bootlessDefinition not valid The Stamp Act of 1765 was rendered nugatory by colonial resistance. Synonyms invalid, ineffectual, null and void, inoperative, useless, vain, futile, unavailing, bootlessthe ostentatious lifestyle of the super-rich Synonyms pretentious, extravagant, flamboyant, flash (informal), loud, dashing, inflated, conspicuous, vulgar, brash, high-flown, flashy, pompous, flaunted, flaunting, grandiose, crass, gaudy, showy, swanky (informal), snobbish, puffed up, specious, boastful, obtrusive, highfalutin (informal), arty-farty (informal), magniloquent, bling (slang) his overweening arrogance and pride Synonyms arrogant, lordly, proud, vain, swaggering, pompous, cocky, conceited, blustering, imperious, self-confident, overbearing, haughty, opinionated, egotistical, disdainful, presumptuous, high-handed, insolent, supercilious, high and mighty (informal), cocksure, vainglorious, uppish (British, informal) Definition without meaning or purpose Violence is always pointless. Synonyms senseless, meaningless, futile, fruitless, unproductive, stupid, silly, useless, absurd, irrelevant, in vain, worthless, ineffectual, unprofitable, nonsensical, aimless, inane, unavailing, without rhyme or reason Definition haughty or arrogant She has a reputation for being proud and arrogant. Synonyms conceited, vain, arrogant, stuck-up (informal), lordly, imperious, narcissistic, overbearing, snooty (informal), haughty, snobbish, egotistical, self-satisfied, disdainful, self-important, presumptuous, boastful, supercilious, high and mighty (informal), toffee-nosed (slang, British), orgulous (archaic), too big for your boots or breeches Additional synonymsDefinition having an unduly high opinion of one's own importance He was self-important, vain and ignorant. Synonyms conceited, arrogant, pompous, strutting, swaggering, cocky, pushy (informal), overbearing, presumptuous, bumptious, swollen-headed, bigheaded, full of yourself Definition having no meaning or purpose acts of senseless violence Synonyms pointless, mad, crazy (informal), stupid, silly, ridiculous, absurd, foolish, daft (informal), ludicrous, meaningless, unreasonable, irrational, inconsistent, unwise, mindless, illogical, incongruous, idiotic, nonsensical, inane, fatuous, moronic, unintelligent, asinine, imbecilic, dumb-ass (slang), without rhyme or reason, halfwittedDefinition proud or snobbish She was a famous actress but she wasn't a bit stuck-up. Synonyms snobbish, arrogant, conceited, proud, patronizing, condescending, snooty (informal), haughty, uppity (informal), high and mighty (informal), toffee-nosed (slang, British), hoity-toity (informal), swollen-headed, bigheaded (informal), uppish (British, informal) They were put up in a swanky hotel in Kensington. Synonyms ostentatious, grand, posh (informal, British), rich, expensive, exclusive, smart, fancy, flash (informal), fashionable, glamorous, stylish, gorgeous, lavish, luxurious, sumptuous, plush (informal), flashy, swish (informal, British), glitzy (slang), showy, ritzy (slang), de luxe, swank (informal), plushy (informal), schmick (Australian, informal) Synonyms self-important, proud, vain, cocky, puffed up, bumptious, vainglorious, bigheaded (informal), full of yourself, too big for your boots, too big for your breeches Definition insignificant, petty, or frivolous The guests had each paid £250, no trifling sum. Synonyms insignificant, small, tiny, empty, slight, silly, shallow, petty, idle, trivial, worthless, negligible, unimportant, frivolous, paltry, minuscule, puny, measly, piddling (informal), inconsiderable, valueless, nickel-and-dime (US, slang), footling (informal) Definition of little importance I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial. Synonyms unimportant, little, small, minor, slight, everyday, petty, meaningless, commonplace, worthless, trifling, insignificant, negligible, frivolous, paltry, incidental, puny, inconsequential, trite, inconsiderable, valueless, nickel-and-dime (US, slang), wanky (taboo, slang), chickenshit (US, slang) Definition useless or futile a brave but unavailing fight against a terminal illness Synonyms useless, unsuccessful, ineffective, futile, vain, idle, pointless, fruitless, unproductive, abortive, ineffectual, to no purpose, of no avail, bootlessDefinition trivial or insignificant It was an unimportant job, and paid very little. Synonyms insignificant, minor, petty, trivial, slight, irrelevant, worthless, trifling, paltry, immaterial, inconsequential, low-ranking, of no consequence, nickel-and-dime (US, slang), of no account, nugatory, not worth mentioning, of no moment Definition not producing any worthwhile results They are aware much of their time and effort is unproductive. Synonyms useless, futile, fruitless, vain, idle, ineffective, worthless, unprofitable, unrewarding, valueless, unavailing, otiose, bootless, unremunerative, inefficaciousAdditional synonymsDefinition not producing any worthwhile results an endless, unprofitable argument Synonyms fruitless, useless, pointless, futile, vain, unproductive, unavailing, unfruitful, profitless, bootlessDefinition not achieving success a second unsuccessful operation on his knee Synonyms failed, useless, ineffective, vain, futile, fruitless, unproductive, abortive, unavailing, bootlessDefinition having no practical use She knew it was useless to protest. Synonyms pointless, hopeless, futile, vain, idle, profitlessDefinition without value or usefulness Training is worthless unless there is proof that it works. Synonyms useless, meaningless, pointless, futile, no use, insignificant, unimportant, ineffectual, unusable, unavailing, not much cop (British, slang), inutile, not worth a hill of beans (US), negligible, pants (slang) |