vainly
Americanadverb
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in a way that shows or proceeds from excessive pride or concern over one’s appearance, favorable qualities, impression on others, etc..
Every time he leaves the room, he pauses to vainly admire his reflection in the mirror.
I just got a box of business cards with my new degree “Ph.D.” on them—something I vainly insisted upon.
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in an unsuccessful or futile way; in vain.
She tried vainly to catch a glimpse of the canoe, which seemed to have dissolved suddenly into the mist.
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in a way that is without real meaning, importance, or value.
We talk a lot about things we like or dislike, but sad to say, we often talk vainly and to no purpose.
Other Word Forms
- unvainly adverb
Etymology
Origin of vainly
Explanation
Anything you do vainly does not result in the outcome you're hoping for. When you're vainly trying to fall asleep, the night can seem to last far longer than eight hours. If you fall vainly in love with someone, it's hopeless — it's never going to work out between the two of you. And if you try vainly to convince your friends not to gossip about a classmate, they just won't listen to you despite your efforts. You can also use this adverb to mean "in a conceited way," like when the evil queen in Sleeping Beauty stares vainly into her magic mirror asking, "Who's the fairest one of all?"
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
England found some late urgency as they vainly chased the game.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
It is not to dash all our energy against a wave that’s not yet spent, trying vainly to roll it back to yesterday.
From Salon • May 1, 2025
He watched neighbors come into his backyard and vainly battle the flames.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2024
Kittle ran past safety Julian Love, who vainly grabbed hold of him to try to slow him down, drawing a flag in the process.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 11, 2023
He seemed in no hurry to go elsewhere or to talk, and as the slow-motion bartender mixed our drinks I puzzled vainly as to why he had brought me here.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
