vain
vain
英[veɪn]美[veɪn]
adj.徒劳的，不成功的，无望的，自负的，虚荣的；
比较级：vainer;
*高级：vainest;
例句
We searched in vain for the missing child.我们到处寻找那孩子, 但没有找到。
It was in vain that we tried to find his mother.我们百般设法找他的母亲, 但毫无结果。
We tried in vain to make him change his mind.我们试图使他改变主意, 结果是白费心机。
Her modesty is all put on; at heart she is very vain.她的谦逊全是假装的, 内心里她是很虚荣的。
Their lives have not been laid down in vain.他们并没有白白牺牲。
be tantalized by vain hopes被徒然的希望折磨
trying in vain to recapture his past他试图回忆以前的事情，但却枉然
I tried in vain to dispel her misgivings.我试图消除她的疑虑, 但没有成功。
They tried to rally the pound sterling but in vain.他们企图恢复英镑币值，但劳而无功。
It is vain to resist.抵抗是没用的。
英语六级真题
During the hours spent waiting in vain to see a bone doctor, I decided to take another track and try acupuncture.
2018年6月六级真题(第二套)听力 Section C柯林斯高阶英汉双解学习词典释义
ADJ
徒劳的;无效的;不成功的
A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended.
例句
The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule...起草委员会为按计划完成草案已通宵加班，但结果仍是徒劳。I was singing in a vain effort to cheer him up.我唱歌试图让他高兴起来，结果是白费力气。ADJ
徒然的;无望的
If you describe a hope that something will happen as a vain hope, you mean that there is no chance of it happening.
例句
He married his fourth wife, Susan, in the vain hope that she would improve his health.他娶了第四个老婆苏珊，徒然希望她能使他健康状况好转。ADJ-GRADED
自负的;虚荣的;自命不凡的
If you describe someone as vain, you are critical of their extreme pride in their own beauty, intelligence, or other good qualities.
例句
I think he is shallow, vain and untrustworthy.我认为他浅薄虚荣，不可信任。PHRASE
徒劳;白费力气
If you do something in vain, you do not succeed in achieving what you intend.
例句
He stopped at the door, waiting in vain for her to acknowledge his presence...他在门口停住，徒然地等待她和自己打招呼。It became obvious that all her complaints were in vain.很明显她所有的抱怨都是白费口舌。PHRASE
无用的;无意义的;无价值的
If you say that something such as someone's death, suffering, or effort was in vain, you mean that it was useless because it did not achieve anything.
例句
He wants the world to know his son did not die in vain.他想让全世界都知道，他的儿子不是白白死去的。英汉词典释义
adj.
自负的; 爱慕虚荣的
She is one of those vain people who never take others' advice.她属于那种自负得从不听别人劝告的人。I don't like a vain woman.我讨厌爱慕虚荣的女人。He's very vain of his abilities.他对于自己的能力很自负。徒劳的, 无用的, 无效的
He made a vain attempt to reach the drowning child.他试图接近那个快淹死的小孩, 但没有成功。All my efforts were vain.我的一切努力都白费了。It is vain to resist.抵抗是没用的。英英词典释义
Adjective
1. characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance;
"a conceited fool""an attitude of self-conceited arrogance""an egotistical disregard of others""so swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty""growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary""vain about her clothes"2. unproductive of success;
"a fruitless search""futile years after her artistic peak""a sleeveless errand""a vain attempt"
