KJV Dictionary Definition: vain

vain

VAIN, a. L. vanus; Eng. wan, wane, want.

1. Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance. 1Peter 1.

To your vain answer will you have recourse.

Every man walketh in a vain show. Ps. 39.

Why do the people imagine a vain thing? Ps. 2.

2. Fruitless; ineffectual. All attempts, all efforts were vain.

Vain is the force of man.

3. Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; elated with a high opinion of one's own accomplishments, or with things more showy than valuable; conceited.

The minstrels play'd on every side, vain of their art -

4. Empty; unreal; as a vain chimers.

5. Showy; ostentatious.

Load some vain church with old theatric state.

6. Light; inconstant; worthless. Prov. 12.

7. Empty; unsatisfying. The pleasures of life are vain.

8. False; deceitful; not genuine; spurious. James 1.

9. Not effectual; having no efficacy

Bring no more vain oblations. Is. 1.

In vain, to no purpose; without effect; ineffectual.

In vain they do worship me. Matt. 15.

To take the name of God in vain, to use the name of God with levity or profaneness.

vainness

VA'INNESS, n.

1. The state of being vain; inefficacy; ineffectualness; as the vainness of efforts.

2. Empty pride; vanity.

Definitions from Webster's American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.

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