vain
/veɪn/ adjective B1- Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
- Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
- Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile. · vain toil a vain attempt
- Showy; ostentatious.
Comparative vainer · Superlative vainest
From the library
At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea, made an excellent haul of fish.
He was, if I recollect, arrested in a tavern, in company with a great many others.” Then he added, “Monsieur, you may rest assured I shall perform my duty impartially, and that if he be innocent you shall not have appealed to me in vain; should he, however, be guilty, in this present epoch, impunity would furnish a dangerous example, and I must do my duty.”
When their strife was at its height, a Bramble from the neighboring hedge lifted up its voice, and said in a boastful tone: “Pray, my dear friends, in my presence at least cease from such vain disputings.”
He whistled and sounded his horn in vain; the straggler paid no attention to the summons.
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