Vanity: meaning, definitions and examples

Describes excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements. Commonly negative but can sometimes be neutral in certain contexts.

• Her vanity was evident in the time she spent admiring herself in the mirror
• The politician's vanity did not allow him to admit his mistakes

Highlights excessive pride in oneself, especially concerning intellectual abilities or thoughts. Usually negative.

• His conceit made it hard for him to listen to others
• The professor's conceit was apparent in his dismissive attitude towards students

Refers to an inflated sense of self-importance, often causing one to talk about oneself constantly. Negative connotation.

• His egotism was evident as he couldn't stop talking about his own achievements
• Egotism made it difficult for her to form genuine relationships

Indicates an obsession with oneself, one's appearance, or public perception. Strongly negative and often used in psychological contexts.

• Her narcissism made her spend hours perfecting her social media profiles
• Narcissism can severely affect one's relationships and work life

Describes extreme overconfidence or arrogance, usually leading to one's downfall. Has a strong negative implication.

• His hubris caused him to underestimate his opponent
• In classical literature, hubris often leads to the hero's tragic end

This word is often used to describe someone who is excessively proud of their own appearance, achievements, or abilities. It has a neutral to slightly negative connotation.

• Her vanity was evident when she spent hours looking in the mirror
• His vanity prevented him from admitting he was wrong

This term is used to describe someone who has an overly high opinion of themselves. It commonly has a negative connotation.

• His conceit made it difficult for him to listen to others
• She was unpopular due to her conceit and arrogance

Often used to describe a showy or extravagant display of wealth or luxury, usually in a way that is meant to impress or attract notice. It typically carries a negative connotation.

• The ostentation of their mansion was off-putting
• His ostentation at the party made everyone uncomfortable

This word describes behavior or speech that attempts to appear important or educated, but lacks sincerity or true merit. It is generally used in a negative context.

• Her pretentiousness made it hard to enjoy the conversation
• His pretentiousness was obvious when he used fancy words incorrectly

This term is often used to describe a place or situation where excessive attention is given to superficial or trivial matters, especially those related to appearances or material goods. It can also refer to the magazine that covers fashion, culture, and celebrity life.

• The gala felt like a vanity fair with everyone showing off their outfits
• She read about the latest trends in Vanity Fair magazine