Vanity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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vanity

[ˈvænəti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in personal appearance

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

Synonyms

conceit, egotism, hubris, narcissism.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vanity	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
conceit	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
egotism	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
narcissism	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
hubris	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

Examples of usage

She was full of vanity and always checking herself in the mirror.
His vanity prevented him from accepting help from others.
Ignoring her vanity, she decided to go out without makeup.
Her vanity was evident in the way she constantly talked about herself.
Vanity can lead to shallow relationships and a lack of true connections.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in possessions

Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own possessions or achievements.

Synonyms

conceit, ostentation, pretentiousness, vanity fair.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
vanity	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
conceit	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
ostentation	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
pretentiousness	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
vanity fair	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

Examples of usage

Her vanity was displayed in the way she flaunted her expensive car.
He collected luxury watches out of vanity rather than necessity.
His vanity led him to buy designer clothes he couldn't afford.
Vanity often leads to overspending on unnecessary items.
Their vanity about their house led them to constantly renovate and redecorate.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Vanity can be linked to self-esteem; those who are very vain may rely heavily on external validation to feel good.
Research indicates that a high level of vanity can be associated with narcissistic traits, including an inflated sense of self-importance.

Literature

In 'Don Quixote' by Miguel de Cervantes, vanity plays a crucial role in the way characters perceive their adventures and identities.
William Shakespeare often commented on vanity in his plays, highlighting how it leads to tragic downfalls.

Pop Culture

The concept of vanity has been explored in modern media, like the song 'Vanity' by Prince, which discusses the emptiness behind excessive self-love.
Reality TV often highlights vanity, focusing on characters who prioritize looks and fame over genuine connection.

Philosophy

In many philosophical discussions, vanity is seen as a moral flaw, indicating a lack of deeper self-awareness and authenticity.
The idea of 'vanity in human pursuits' suggests that focusing on superficial aspects of life can lead to a sense of emptiness.

Origin of 'vanity'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'vanitas', meaning 'emptiness' or 'futility', suggesting an emptiness in excessive pride.
In Middle English, the term was associated with 'vanite', which reflected both physical vanity and vanity of life itself.

The word 'vanity' comes from the Latin word 'vanitas', meaning emptiness or futility. It has been used in English since the 14th century to describe excessive pride or admiration of oneself or one's possessions. The concept of vanity has been explored in various forms of literature and art, highlighting the dangers of excessive self-love and materialism.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,462 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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8459 supplements
8460 worthless
8461 voter
8462 vanity
8463 airline
8464 bureaucracy
8465 zoning
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