in vain
Adverb

in vain

  1. (idiomatic) Without success or a result; ending in failure.
    • 1863 November 19, Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, based on the signed "Bliss Copy"
      we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain
    • 19C, Friedrich Nietzsche
      On the mountains of truth you can never climb in vain.
  2. (idiomatic) In a disrespectful manner, especially when concerning religion.
    • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), imprinted at London: By Robert Barker, […], OCLC 964384981 ↗, Exodus 20:7 ↗:
      Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain
Translations Translations Adjective

in vain

  1. (idiomatic) Unsuccessful, failed.



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