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# vain

adjective (vain, vainer, vainest); phrase «in vain»

«vain» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Too proud of your looks, cleverness or what you have. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#m1)
2. Useless; not succeeding: a vain attempt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#m2)
3. «In vain» means without success. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories and fables, a vain character (a vain peacock or crow) is often tricked because of pride. «In vain» tells the reader that trying did not work. Phrases: «in vain», «a vain hope», «vain as a peacock».

### Examples

- The vain crow dropped the cheese when the fox praised her singing. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x1)
- He is so vain he checks his hair in every window. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x2)
- They searched in vain for the lost ring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x3)
- It was a vain attempt to catch the bus. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x4)
- Don't be vain about winning; be kind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x5)
- She waited in vain for a reply. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x6)
- The goose hunted everywhere, but in vain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/#x7)

### Note

Homophones: vain, vein (a tube for blood), vane (a weather vane). Noun: vanity. «Vainly» = without success. Opposite of the first sense: modest.

## In Jewish tradition

"In vain" means for a false or empty purpose. The Torah uses it for taking God's name falsely or for effort with no result.

**Interpretation.** The commandment not to take God's name "in vain" is read as forbidding false oaths and also using God's name carelessly or for no good reason.

### Examples

- And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield her produce, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit. (Torah LEV.26.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/#x1)
- Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. (Torah EXO.20.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/#x2)
- For it is no vain thing for you; because it is your life, and through this thing ye shall prolong your days upon the land, whither ye go over the Jordan to possess it.' (Torah DEU.32.47, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/#x3)
- How then comfort ye me in vain? (Writings JOB.21.34, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/#x4)
- And why do the peoples mutter in vain? (Writings PSA.2.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/#x5)
- I shall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain? (Writings JOB.9.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/#x6)

### Note

Homophones: vain, vein (a tube for blood), vane (a weather vane). Noun: vanity. «Vainly» = without success. Opposite of the first sense: modest.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «vain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/vain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«vain» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/vain.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «vain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/vain/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«vain» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/vain.html) on Mova free.