How to Pronounce "in vain"
expression
ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈveɪn
in-VAYN
ˈɪn/ /vˈeɪn
in-VAYN
Definition
If you do something in vain, you try hard but fail to achieve what you wanted, so your effort is wasted.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈɪn/, /ɪn/ /ˈveɪn
British English
ˈɪn/ /vˈeɪn
Simplified Pronunciation
US
in-VAYN
UK
in-VAYN
Listen in Context
They searched in vain for their lost cat.
I tried in vain to fix my bike.
She waited in vain for the bus to arrive.
All his efforts were in vain—the project was canceled anyway.