having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth 自負(fù)的,自視過高的,愛虛榮的 their flattery made him vain. 他們的吹捧使他自命不凡。
[attrib.]producing no result; useless 無結(jié)果的,無效的 a vain attempt to tidy up the room. 徒勞的打掃房間。 the vain hope of finding work. 找到工作的落空希望。 ■having no meaning or likelihood of fulfilment 徒勞的,無意義的 a vain boast. 徒勞的自夸。
常用詞組 in vain
without success or a result 徒勞地 they waited in vain for a response. 他們白等回音。
take someone's name in vain
use someone's name in a way that shows a lack of respect 輕慢談到,隨便議論
派生 vainly adverb 語源
Middle English (in the sense 'devoid of real worth'): via Old French from Latin vanus 'empty, without substance'