What does vanity mean?

Definitions for vanity
ˈvæn ɪ tivan·i·ty

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word vanity.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. amour propre, conceit, self-love, vanitynoun

    feelings of excessive pride

  2. vanity, emptinessnoun

    the quality of being valueless or futile

    "he rejected the vanities of the world"

  3. conceit, conceitedness, vanitynoun

    the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride

  4. dressing table, dresser, vanity, toilet tablenoun

    low table with mirror or mirrors where one sits while dressing or applying makeup

GCIDE

  1. Vanitynoun

    same as dressing table.

  2. Vanitynoun

    A cabinet built around a bathroom sink, usually with a countertop and sometimes drawers.

Wiktionary

  1. vanitynoun

    That which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.

  2. vanitynoun

    Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own abilities, appearance or achievements.

  3. vanitynoun

    A dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair. The table is normally quite low and similar to a desk, with drawers and one or more mirrors atop. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.

  4. vanitynoun

    Emptiness.

  5. vanitynoun

    Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.

  6. Etymology: vanus: emptiness or a void - vanitas: vanity through vanité to Middle English.

Wikipedia

  1. Vanity

    Vanity is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness to others. Prior to the 14th century it did not have such narcissistic undertones, and merely meant futility. The related term vainglory is now often seen as an archaic synonym for vanity, but originally meant considering one's own capabilities and that God's help was not needed, i.e. unjustified boasting; although glory is now seen as having a predominantly positive meaning, the Latin term from which it derives, gloria, roughly means boasting, and was often used as a negative criticism.

ChatGPT

  1. vanity

    Vanity can refer to excessive pride or admiration in one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, or possessions. It is a characteristic of individuals who are overly concerned about their outward image and seek validation and attention from others. Vanity often leads to self-centered behavior and can result in a disregard for others' feelings or needs.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Vanitynoun

    the quality or state of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity

  2. Vanitynoun

    an inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations; an excessive desire for notice or approval; pride; ostentation; conceit

  3. Vanitynoun

    that which is vain; anything empty, visionary, unreal, or unsubstantial; fruitless desire or effort; trifling labor productive of no good; empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle show; unsubstantial enjoyment

  4. Vanitynoun

    one of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See Morality, n., 5

  5. Etymology: [OE. vanite, F. vanit, L. vanitas, fr. vanus empty, vain. See Vain.]

Wikidata

  1. Vanity

    In conventional parlance, vanity is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness to others. Prior to the 14th century it did not have such narcissistic undertones, and merely meant futility. The related term vainglory is now often seen as an archaic synonym for vanity, but originally meant boasting in vain, i.e. unjustified boasting; although glory is now seen as having an exclusively positive meaning, the Latin term gloria roughly means boasting, and was often used as a negative criticism.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Vanity

    See Vain.

Editors Contribution

  1. Vanity

    Vanity is nothing else but excessive pride, regard, trust, hope, admiration or dependence in one's own or someone else's riches, wealth, social status, family background, qualification, beauty, handsomeness or stuffs like that.

    Emeasoba George


    Submitted by emeasoba_g on February 28, 2018  

Suggested Resources

  1. vanity

    Song lyrics by vanity -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by vanity on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce vanity?

How to say vanity in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of vanity in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of vanity in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of vanity in a Sentence

  1. James Boswell:

    To act from pure benevolence is not possible for finite beings. Human benevolence is mingled with vanity, interest, or some other motive.

  2. William Blake, Marriage of Heaven and Hell:

    I have always found that angels have the vanity to speak of themselves as the only wise.

  3. Calestous Juma:

    What we don't want is vanity space programs, as it stands, I think they are focusing more on the space programs and less on the education ... (space programs) have to be designed as a capability program otherwise the economic return will not be fully realized.

  4. Brian Harvey:

    It's been an extraordinary year in my trading career. You must understand that for me to be in the top 30 is not a vanity thing.

  5. Cheng Taining:

    These weird buildings are too alienated from basic architectural norms and... have become super-sized art installations that jump on the desire and vanity bandwagon.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

vanity#10000#11105#100000

Translations for vanity

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for vanity »

Translation

Find a translation for the vanity definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:


Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"vanity." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/vanity>.

Discuss these vanity definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for vanity? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    vanity

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    one of four connected cavities in the brain; is continuous with the central canal of the spinal cord and contains cerebrospinal fluid
    A auspices
    B ventricle
    C brashness
    D foumart

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for vanity: