How to pronounce vain
Say it like VAYN. Vain is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce vain. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VAYN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Vain pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VAYNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of vain
American and British speakers say vain in essentially the same way: /veɪn/ in the US and /veɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: VAYN.
What does vain mean?
- characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance“a conceited fool”“an attitude of self-conceited arrogance”
- unproductive of success“a fruitless search”“futile years after her artistic peak”
Where does vain come from?
From Middle English veyn, from Old French vain, from Latin vānus (“empty”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with vain
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of vain.
Words that sound like vain
Questions about saying vain
How do you pronounce vain?
Say VAYN. The American pronunciation is /veɪn/. In British English it is /veɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in vain?
Vain is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: VAYN.
Do Americans and Brits say vain the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /veɪn/ and the British form is /veɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as vain?
Vain sounds the same as vane, vein in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.