Vains (en. Vain)

/vɛ̃/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench
adjective
That produces no results.
His efforts to convince were in vain.
Ses efforts pour convaincre étaient vains.
That is unworthy of interest, futile.
This struggle seemed vain and purposeless.
Cette lutte semblait vaine et sans objet.
That expresses excessive vanity.
His vain attitude was truly pointless.
Son attitude vaniteuse était vraiment vaine.

Etymology

From the Latin 'vānus', meaning 'empty, worthless'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

futile efforts
efforts that lead to nothing.
des efforts vains
to fight in vain
to act without hope of success.
se battre en vain
a vain quest
a search that leads to nothing.
une quête vaine

Related Words

vanity
Quality of a vain, self-centered person.
vanité
defeated
One who has suffered a defeat, opposed to a victor.
vaincu
emptiness
Character of what is empty and without content.
vacuité

Slang Meanings

Refers to something ineffective.
It’s a vain debate, we won't achieve anything.
C'est un débat vains, on n'arrivera à rien.
A person who boasts without reason.
He is so vain, he only talks about himself.
Il est tellement vains, il ne fait que parler de lui.