vain

About 10.64 uses per million words.

Meaning

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

   vain toil a vain attempt

4. adjective Showy; ostentatious.
5. verb To frustrate. (The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:)

Similar words

conceited self-conceited egotistical proud egotistic futile unproductive fruitless swollen bootless

Often followed by

to for and that attempt did the hope in

Word family

vainer vainest vainly vainness vainnesses