Definition of "vain"

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

I will not hear thy vain excuse

c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene i]

Let no man deceive you with vain words.

1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Ephesians 5:6

Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.

1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […]; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873,

Vain is the force of man / To crush the pillars which the pile sustain.

1697, Virgil, “(please specify the book number)”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]

But Sophia's mother was not the woman to brook defiance. After a few moments' vain remonstrance her husband complied. His manner and appearance were suggestive of a satiated sea-lion.

1922, Ben Travers, chapter 6, in A Cuckoo in the Nest

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 […], page 40, lines 25–30