1.Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying. "Thy vain excuse." "Every man walketh in a vain show." "Let no man deceive you with vain words." "Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye!" "Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy."
2.Destitute of force or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt. "Bring no more vain oblations." "Vain is the force of man To crush the pillars which the pile sustain."
3.Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated. "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?" "The minstrels played on every side, Vain of their art."
4.Showy; ostentatious. "Load some vain church with old theatric state."
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