vainest

Adjective

vain (comparative vainer or more vain, superlative vainest or most vain)

1. Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.
   • Every writer is a narcissist. This does not mean that he is vain; it only means that he is hopelessly self-absorbed.1959, Leo Rosten, The return of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N

   Synonyms:

   conceited, flatulent, puffed up, inflated, airy, arrogant, chesty, authoritarian, biggity, big-headed

2. Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
   • I will not hear thy vain excusec. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

   Synonyms:

   idle, valueless, base, contemptible, floccinaucinihilipilificatious, foolish, for the birds, futile, frivolous, ignorable

3. Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
   • vain toil a vain attempt

   Synonyms:

   pointless, futile, fruitless, ineffectual, bootless, barren, sterile, gainless, idle, dry

4. Showy; ostentatious.
   • Yet ſhall (my Lord) your juſt, your noble Rules / Fill half the land with imitating Fools: / VVho random dravvings from your ſheets ſhall take, / And of one beauty many blunders make; / Load ſome vain Church with old Theatric State, / Turn Arcs of Triumph to a Garden-gate, […]1735, Alexander Pope, “Epistle 4”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume II, London: […] J. Wright, for Lawton Gilliver […], →OCLC, page 40, lines 25–30

   Synonyms:

   brash, pizazzy, bedizened, blatant, blingish, campy, catchpenny, chichi, chintzy, corny

See all 5 meanings of vain