Definitions
- Describing an effort or action that fails to produce any positive results. - Referring to a search or inquiry that is unsuccessful or unproductive. - Talking about a task or endeavor that is pointless or futile.
- Describing an effort or action that is unsuccessful or unproductive. - Referring to a person who is excessively proud or concerned with their appearance or achievements. - Talking about a task or endeavor that is pointless or futile.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe an effort or action that is unproductive or unsuccessful.
- 2Both words can refer to a task or endeavor that is pointless or futile.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a search or inquiry that does not yield any results.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Fruitless is more commonly used to describe an effort or action that fails to produce positive results, while vain is more often used to describe a person who is excessively proud or concerned with their appearance or achievements.
- 2Connotation: Fruitless has a neutral connotation, while vain can have a negative connotation when used to describe a person.
- 3Usage in idioms: Fruitless is used in idioms such as 'a fruitless endeavor' or 'a fruitless search', while vain is used in idioms such as 'in vain' or 'to take someone's name in vain'.
Remember this!
Fruitless and vain are synonyms that describe an effort or action that is unproductive or unsuccessful. However, fruitless is more commonly used to describe an effort or action that fails to produce positive results, while vain is more often used to describe a person who is excessively proud or concerned with their appearance or achievements.
