vain
Definitions
Producing no result; useless; futile
徒劳的，无用的
Excessively proud of one's appearance or abilities
自负的，虚荣的
Root Breakdown
Native EnglishFrom Latin vānus (empty, hollow) via French. Both meanings are emptiness: effort that is vain is empty of result, and a person who is vain is empty of substance behind the pride. Same root as vanish and vanity.
Root vac still carries 31 more wordsWhy It Means This
The fixed phrase "in vain" (= without success) is where learners meet this word most often, and it preserves the oldest sense: empty of result. The "conceited" sense came from the same emptiness — pride with nothing solid behind it.
Usage Guide
Two very different senses live in one word. "In vain" / "a vain attempt" = futile. "A vain person" = conceited. Context disambiguates: with effort/attempt → futile; with a person → conceited. Note the homophones vein (blood vessel) and vane (weathervane).
Example Sentences
- 1.
They made a vain attempt to save the sinking boat.
- 2.
All our efforts were in vain.
- 3.
He's so vain that he checks his reflection in every window.
Easily Confused
vain vs vein vs vane — all sound identical. vain = futile or conceited; vein = a blood vessel; vane = a blade (weathervane). Only vain carries the "empty" meaning of this root.