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adverb

invano

in vain

Definition & meaning

Invano means in vain, to no avail, or unsuccessfully. It describes an effort that does not achieve its intended result.

  • Ho cercato invano di chiamarti. — I tried to call you, but without success.

It can also mean without good reason or needlessly, especially in formal or religious expressions.

Grammar & Word origin

Invano is an invariable adverb, often placed after the verb it modifies. It comes from the expression in vano, literally “in emptiness,” from Latin vanus (“empty” or “futile”).

Synonyms & antonyms

  • senza successo — “without success”; a more neutral, explicit alternative.
  • inutilmente — “uselessly” or “to no purpose”; it emphasizes the uselessness of an action.
  • con successo — “successfully”; an opposite when invano refers to an unsuccessful attempt.

Common phrases & collocations

  • cercare invano — to search or try in vain.
  • sperare invano — to hope in vain.
  • non nominare il nome di Dio invano — not to take God’s name in vain.

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Examples

Ho cercato le chiavi invano.adverb

I searched for the keys in vain.

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