vanity

[van-i-tee]

noun

plural

vanities 

1. excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc.; character or quality of being vain; conceit.

   Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity.

   Synonyms: ostentation, vainglory, complacency, egotism
   Antonyms: humility

2. an instance or display of this quality or feeling.

3. something about which one is vain or excessively proud.

   His good looks are his greatest vanity.

4. lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness.

   the vanity of a selfish life.

   Synonyms: futility, triviality, folly, unreality, sham, emptiness

5. something worthless, trivial, or pointless.

6. vanity case.

7. dressing table.

8. a wide, counterlike shelf containing a wash basin, as in the bathroom of a hotel or residence, often equipped with shelves, drawers, etc., underneath.

9. a cabinet built below or around a bathroom sink, primarily to hide exposed pipes.

10. compact.

adjective

1. produced as a showcase for one's own talents, especially as a writer, actor, singer, or composer.

   surprisingly entertaining for a vanity production.

2. of, relating to, or issued by a vanity press.

   a spate of vanity books.

vanity

/ ˈvænɪtɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being vain; excessive pride or conceit

2. ostentation occasioned by ambition or pride

3. an instance of being vain or something about which one is vain

4. the state or quality of being valueless, futile, or unreal

5. something that is worthless or useless

6. short for vanity unit

Other Word Forms

• vanitied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanity¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English vanite from Old French vanité from Latin vānitās, equivalent to vān- ( vain ) + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of vanity¹

C13: from Old French vanité, from Latin vānitās emptiness, from vānus empty

Synonym Study

See pride.

Example Sentences

Next to the mannequin is a small black vanity desk and mirror with makeup and porcelain wishbones filling the table’s surface.

From Los Angeles Times

With this emphasis, “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross” becomes something more satisfying than lifestyle programming or a celebrity vanity project.

From Salon

But with the knowledge that “F1” is a blockbuster vanity project that hinges on Pitt’s public perception, it’s easier to imagine all of the hand-wringing that might’ve gone on behind the scenes.

From Salon

She was attached to the piece and ended up propping it against the wall in the center of her bathroom vanity.

From Los Angeles Times

It sits on the vanity table in her new apartment next to Nancy and John’s house.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogance 
• pride 

When To Use

What does vanity mean?

Vanity is the excessive pride in oneself, usually related to appearance or accomplishments, as in Simon’s vanity wouldn’t let him purchase a more practical car.Vanity can also refer to something a person is overly proud of, as in Lars’ only real vanity was his singing ability.Vanity can also refer to an area with a mirror where you would groom yourself, like a dressing table or a counter and sink. A vanity can also be a place for storing grooming products, such as a shelf, cupboard, or case.Example: That museum of vanity that he calls a house is just full of his own artwork and paintings.