vain

vain, futile

adjective VAHN Less Common

Origin: Latin vanus (empty).

Also means

conceited, self-important

Usage Note

vain in the phrase en vain means 'in vain, to no effect' — one of its most common uses. As a character description it means self-conceited, close in sense to vaniteux. The feminine form is vaine. Avoid confusing it with vingt (twenty), which sounds nearly identical.

Examples

"Ses efforts étaient vains."

Natural Translation

His efforts were in vain.

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