Meaning & use
vainly
Last updated
Without success; or in a conceited, self-admiring manner.
See it in a sentence
She vainly tried to convince him to stay.
He vainly admired his reflection in every mirror he passed.
A note on using this word
Vainly carries two distinct senses inherited from 'vain': one meaning 'uselessly' and the other meaning 'conceitedly.'
Words with a similar meaning
fruitlesslyunsuccessfully
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “vainly”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.