adj.
- having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance or abilities.
- producing no result; useless.
▸having no likelihood of fulfilment:
a vain boast.
Phrase
- in vain
without success. - take someone's name in vain
use someone's name in a way that shows a lack of respect.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: via OFr. from L. vanus ‘empty, without substance’.