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Where does the word "vain" come from? It comes from Latin vanus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "vain" come from? It comes from Latin vanus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Vain’s story begins in Latin: vanus meant “empty.” The root of 'vanish' and 'vanity'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vain. 'in vain' means to no purpose. It reached English by 1300s as vain. The sense 'conceited' came in the 1600s. Today, vain means having too high an opinion of oneself; useless.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vanus "empty", the root of 'vanish' and 'vanity'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval vain "empty, worthless", 'in vain' means to no purpose.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s vain "futile", the sense 'conceited' came in the 1600s.