vain

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.

   Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.

2. 2
   adj

   Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

   I will not hear thy vain excuse

3. 3
   adj

   Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

   vain toil    a vain attempt

4. 4
   adj

   Showy; ostentatious.

   Yet ſhall (my Lord) your juſt, your noble Rules / Fill half the land with imitating Fools: / VVho random dravvings from your ſheets ſhall take, / And of one beauty many blunders make; / Load ſome vain Church with old Theatric State, / Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate, […]

5. 5
   adj

   unproductive of success

6. 6
   adj

   characteristic of false pride

7. 7
   verb

   To frustrate.

8. 8
   noun

   Acronym of vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia.

Etymology

A conversion of the adjectival form of vain. The only use of this verb in English appears c. 1628 in the writings of Owen Felltham.