# vain

> English word · Adjective · IPA /veɪn/ · frequency rank #10,632

## Definitions
1. Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
2. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
4. Showy; ostentatious.

## Etymology
From Middle English veyn, from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).

## Easily confused with
- **vi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vi)
- **VN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vn)
- **via** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-via)
- **van** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-van)
- **Vic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vic)
- **VIP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vip)
- **val** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-val)
- **VAR** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-var)
- **vat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vat)
- **vis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vis)
- **vid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vid)
- **VPN** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vpn)
- **vie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vie)
- **vas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vas)
- **Viv** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-viv)
- **vax** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vax)
- **vim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vim)
- **Vit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vit)
- **VIX** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vix)
- **vast** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/vain-vs-vast)

## Common misspellings (4)
`avin`, `vainn`, `vani`, `vvain`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/vain