vain
柯林斯词典
1. ADJ A vain attempt or action is one that fails to achieve what was intended. 徒劳的[ADJ n]
The drafting committee worked through the night in a vain attempt to finish on schedule. 起草委员会徒劳地通宵工作想按期完成工作。
2. vainlyADV 徒劳地[ADV with v]
He hunted vainly through his pockets for a piece of paper. 他徒劳地摸索着自己的口袋想找到一张纸。
3. ADJ If you describe a hope that something will happen as a vain hope, you mean that there is no chance of it happening. 徒然的[ADJ n]
He married his fourth wife, Susan, in the vain hope that she would improve his health. 他怀着她能改善自己健康的徒然希望娶了第4个妻子苏珊。
4. vainlyADV 徒然地[ADV with v]
He then set out for Virginia for what he vainly hoped would be a peaceful retirement. 于是他出发前往弗吉尼亚,徒然地希望这会是一次平静的引退。
5. ADJ If you describe someone as vain, you are critical of their extreme pride in their own beauty, intelligence, or other good qualities. 自负的[表不满]
He wasn't so vain as to think he was smarter than his boss. 他还没有自负到以为他比自己的上司还精明。
6. PHRASE If you do something in vain, you do not succeed in achieving what you intend. 徒然
He stopped at the door, waiting in vain for her to acknowledge his presence. 他停在门口,徒然地等着她跟自己打招呼。
7. PHRASE If you say that something such as someone's death, suffering, or effort was in vain, you mean that it was useless because it did not achieve anything. 无意义的
He wants the world to know his son did not die in vain. 他想让世人知道他儿子的死不是毫无意义的。
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vain /veɪn/ (vainer,vainest)
剑桥词典
vain adjective (NOT SUCCESSFUL)
unsuccessful ; of no value徒劳的;枉然的;无用的
The doctors gave him more powerful drugs in the vain hope that he might recover . 医生们给他服用了更强效的药,希望他能够康复,却是徒然。
formal It was vain to pretend to himself that he was not disappointed . 他没办法欺骗自己说不觉得失望。
in vain
unsuccessfully
徒劳地;枉然地;无用地
I tried in vain to start a conversation . 我极力想挑起话头,但没有成功。
All the police's efforts to find him were in vain. 警方竭力想要找到他,但所有努力终是徒劳。
vain adjective (SELFISH)
too interested in your own appearance or achievements虚荣的;自负的
He was very vain about his hair and his clothes . 他很虚荣,在发型和衣着方面非常讲究。 返回 vain