vanity
VA-nih-tee
Vanity (noun) means Excessive pride in one's own looks, abilities, or achievements. Example: “His vanity made it hard for him to accept any criticism.”
noun
1
Excessive pride in one's own looks, abilities, or achievements.
"His vanity made it hard for him to accept any criticism."
"She checked her reflection in every shop window — pure vanity."
"Her vanity showed whenever she steered the conversation back to her own success."
2
Something that has no real value or lasting importance; emptiness.
"The old king came to see his conquests as vanity in the end."
"The preacher warned that chasing fame and riches was nothing but vanity."
"All that effort to impress strangers felt like vanity to him now."
3
A bathroom cabinet built around a sink, or a small table with a mirror used for grooming.
"The new bathroom vanity has plenty of storage under the sink."
"She sat at her vanity, brushing out her hair before bed."
"We chose a double vanity so two of us can get ready together."
How to use vanity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVanity mainly means excessive self-admiration, but it's also the everyday word for a sink-and-mirror bathroom unit.
Common pairings
vanity of vanities
bathroom vanity
wounded vanity
vanity project
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Word forms
- Plural
- vanities
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Etymology
From Old French vanité, from Latin vanitas — built on vanus, "empty" or "vain." The bathroom-furniture sense is a much later, purely English development, from the dressing tables once used for personal grooming.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for vanity
See all rhymes for vanity →Frequently asked questions
What does “vanity” mean?
The word “vanity” means excessive pride in one's own looks, abilities, or achievements. In plain terms, vanity mainly means excessive self-admiration, but it's also the everyday word for a sink-and-mirror bathroom unit.
How do you pronounce “vanity”?
“Vanity” is pronounced VA-nih-tee (/ˈvænəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “vanity” in a sentence?
Here is “vanity” used in a sentence: “His vanity made it hard for him to accept any criticism.”
What is another word for “vanity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “vanity” include arrogance.
What part of speech is “vanity”?
“Vanity” is a noun.
Where does the word “vanity” come from?
The word “vanity” comes from Latin. From Old French vanité, from Latin vanitas — built on vanus, "empty" or "vain." The bathroom-furniture sense is a much later, purely English development, from the dressing tables once used for personal grooming.
Is “vanity” a common word?
“Vanity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “vanity” have?
“Vanity” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: excessive pride in one's own looks, abilities, or achievements.
What is the difference between "vanity" and "arrogance"?
"Vanity" specifically refers to excessive pride in one's own looks, abilities, or achievements, often tied to appearance, while "arrogance" more broadly describes an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or superiority, not necessarily linked to looks.
What does "vanity" mean in the phrase "vanity of vanities"?
In this sense, "vanity" refers to something that has no real value or lasting importance, essentially emptiness, rather than personal pride. This meaning is common in reflective or philosophical writing about the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits.
What is a bathroom "vanity"?
A bathroom "vanity" is a cabinet built around a sink, or a small table with a mirror used for grooming, a meaning distinct from the personality trait of excessive pride.
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