Dictionary.com

in vain

Save This Word!
See synonyms for in vain on Thesaurus.com

To no avail, useless, as in All our work was in vain. [c. 1300] Also see take someone's name in vain.

QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby in vain

in vacuo, invade, invaginable, invaginate, invagination, in vain, invalid, invalidate, invalidism, invalidity, invalidity benefit
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Words related to in vain

abortive, futile, ineffective, ineffectual, pointless, unproductive, unsuccessful, useless, fruitless, hollow, impractical, insufficient, trivial, unprofitable, vain, worthless, barren, empty, gainless, idle

How to use in vain in a sentence

  • When Montezuma's tree fell the people gathered on the house-tops to watch the east-in vain, for the white man was there.

    Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land, Complete|Charles M. Skinner

  • A man is not an elder because his head is gray; his age may be ripe, but he is called "Old-in-vain."

    Sacred Books of the East|Various

  • I come as a friend, and that I may save you a labour-in-vain trouble.

    Caleb Williams|William Godwin
FEEDBACK