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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