vanity Hear it!

vanity Definition

van·ity (vanə tē)

noun pl. -·ties

  1. any thing or act that is vain, futile, idle, or worthless
  2. the quality or fact of being vain, or worthless; futility
  3. the quality or fact of being vain, or excessively proud of oneself or one's qualities or possessions; self-conceit
  4. a thing about which one is vain or conceited
  5. vanity case
  6. ☆ a small table or ledge with a mirror for use while putting on cosmetics, combing one's hair, etc.; dressing table
  7. ☆ 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.

  1. 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. *

  2. Futility

    idleness, emptiness, uselessness; see futility.

  3. 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

  • world: Nothing should stop me from Jihad, be they vanities of the world, or close relationships.
  • man: Joseph had more than the vanity of man, he had that of lecturers.

Browse dictionary entries near vanity

  1. vanitas
  2. vanishingly
  3. vanishing point
  4. vanishing
  5. vanished
  6. vanish
  7. Vanir
  8. vanillin
  9. vanillic
  10. vanilla
  1. vanity case
  2. Vanity Fair
  3. vanity plate
  4. vanquish
  5. vanquisher
  6. vantage
  7. vantage point
  8. Vanua Levu
  9. Vanuatu
  10. vanward