vain
12 synonyms and 2 antonyms for vain, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Excessively proud of one's own looks or achievements.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use vain
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French vain, from Latin vanus, meaning "empty."
Full origin of vain →Frequently asked questions
What does “vain” mean?
The word “vain” means excessively proud of one's own looks or achievements. In plain terms, either full of yourself about your looks, or (in the phrase "in vain") pointless and unsuccessful.
How do you pronounce “vain”?
“Vain” is pronounced vayn (/veɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “vain” in a sentence?
Here is “vain” used in a sentence: “He was too vain to be seen in public without styling his hair first.”
What is another word for “vain”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vain” include conceited, narcissistic, self-adoring, self-admiring, self-obsessed and vainglorious.
What is the opposite of “vain”?
The opposite of “vain” — its antonyms — are modest and nonnarcissistic.
What part of speech is “vain”?
“Vain” is an adjective.
Where does the word “vain” come from?
The word “vain” comes from Latin. From Old French vain, from Latin vanus, meaning "empty.".
Is “vain” a common word?
“Vain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "vain" and "in vain"?
"Vain" as an adjective describes a person who is excessively proud of their looks or achievements, while the phrase "in vain" describes an effort that produced no result, as in "they tried in vain to save the building." The two uses share the root idea of emptiness but apply to different things.
Is calling someone "vain" an insult?
Yes, describing someone as "vain" is generally critical, implying they are excessively proud of their appearance or accomplishments in a way seen as self-centered or shallow.
Why does "vain" mean both "proud" and "useless"?
Both senses of "vain" relate to emptiness: excessive pride is seen as an empty, unfounded self-regard, while a "vain" effort is one that is empty of any real result. The two meanings developed from the same core idea rather than being unrelated.