Vain means conceited, or futile — a vain attempt, in vain. A vein is a blood vessel, or a seam of mineral, or a manner: in a similar vein. Vane is the third homophone: a weathervane or a blade. Three spellings, three unrelated meanings.
The core difference
Three homophones, each with its own territory.
- vain — conceited: vain about his looks; futile: a vain hope, in vain.
- vein — a blood vessel; a mineral seam; a manner or style: in a lighter vein.
- vane — a weathervane, or a blade: the vanes of a turbine.
The two senses of vain
Conceited and futile look unrelated but both come from Latin vanus, empty. Vanity is emptiness of substance; a vain attempt is empty of result. In vain and vanish share the root too.
The phrase to watch
In a similar vein takes vein — from the mineral-seam sense, meaning a continuous strand running through something. "In a similar vain" is a common slip.
Frequently asked questions
Is it "in a similar vein" or "vain"?
Vein — from the sense of a seam running through something.
Why does vain mean both conceited and futile?
Both come from Latin vanus, empty — vanity is emptiness of substance, a vain attempt is empty of result.
What is a vane?
A weathervane, or a blade such as on a turbine or windmill.