vanity Definition
van·ity (van′ə tē)
noun pl. -·ties
- any thing or act that is vain, futile, idle, or worthless
- the quality or fact of being vain, or worthless; futility
- the quality or fact of being vain, or excessively proud of oneself or one's qualities or possessions; self-conceit
- a thing about which one is vain or conceited
- ☆ vanity case
- ☆ a small table or ledge with a mirror for use while putting on cosmetics, combing one's hair, etc.; dressing table
- ☆ a bathroom cabinet with a washbowl set in the top
Etymology: ME vanite < OFr vanité < L vanitas, emptiness, worthlessness < vanus, vain: see want
vanity Synonyms
vanity
n.
Personal conceit
conceit, narcissism, self-love, ostentation, display, show, self-admiration, self-glorification, self-applause, pretension, vainglory, conceitedness, coxcombery, foppishness, complacency, smugness; see also pride 1.Antonyms
modesty*, diffidence*, bashfulness. * Futility
A toilet case
vanity box, vanity roll, vanity case, vanity table, compact, double compact, toilet kit, powder case, make-up case. See syn. study at pride.pride.
vanity Usage Examples
Converse of object
- lie: Now, do not forsake your own mercies, for lying vanities.
- see: Use two: See the vanity of the creature.
Adjective modifier
- worldly: Art thou taken off from earthly things and worldly vanities, and seriously set a-work to make provision for eternity?
- pure: I suppose you might say a lot of it was pure vanity.
- personal: The only reason for an individual to buy a club is personal vanity.
- human: Therefore, do not confuse the external values of fleeting human vanity with spiritual enlightenment.
- own: If I feel that that's just my own vanity, and I don't take my own vanity that seriously.
- such: We may have to learn the disappointment of gaining such vanities many a time.
Modifies a noun
- basin: Double glazed Georgian bar window to side, vanity basin set in unit, heavily beamed ceilings, open beams to the side.
- handbasin: BATHROOM Bath with shower over, vanity handbasin, w.c. shaver point and heated towel rail.
- unit: Also each room has a sink & vanity unit with shaving electric point.
- publishing: The Net encourages vanity publishing on a colossal scale.
- mirror: Fitted dressing table with drawers and matching vanity mirror.
- wash: BATHROOM: With suite comprising paneled bath, vanity wash basin, WC, access to loft.
Noun used with modifier
- bathroom: First the engineer's coffee maker catches fire on the bathroom vanity.
- marble: WC with concealed cistern, his and hers wash hand basins set into marble vanity unit with storage below and illuminated mirror above.
- glass: A brass and glass vanity with a white, wicker stool stood across the room.
Possessives
man: It is a foul bauble of man's vanity.
Preposition: of
Browse dictionary entries near vanity
- ‹ vanitas
- ‹ vanishingly
- ‹ vanishing point
- ‹ vanishing
- ‹ vanished
- ‹ vanish
- ‹ Vanir
- ‹ vanillin
- ‹ vanillic
- ‹ vanilla
- vanity case ›
- Vanity Fair ›
- vanity plate ›
- vanquish ›
- vanquisher ›
- vantage ›
- vantage point ›
- Vanua Levu ›
- Vanuatu ›
- vanward ›

