vainly

C1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈveɪnli/ See IPA manual

Freq #60321

Meanings

1

adv
In a vain pursuit; to no avail.

She searched vainly for her reflection in the shattered mirror.
2

adv
With a vain attitude; in a self-approving manner.

She stared vainly at her reflection in the mirror.
3

adv
to no avail

Thesaurus

Synonyms

3 adv · to no avail in vain

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English vaynly, veynly, vaynely, veynely, equivalent to vain + -ly.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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