vanity noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of vanity noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

vanity

noun
 
/ˈvænəti/
 
/ˈvænəti/
(plural vanities)
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  1. [uncountable] (disapproving) the fact of being too proud of your own appearance, abilities or achievements
    • She had no personal vanity (= about her appearance).
    • The invitation to head the committee flattered his vanity and he agreed.
    • No doubt the idea appealed to his vanity.
    see also vainTopics Successc2, Personal qualitiesc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • human
    • personal
    • female
    verb + vanity
    • appeal to
    • flatter
    See full entry
  2. [uncountable] (literary) the fact of being unimportant, especially compared with other things that are important
    • the vanity of human ambition in the face of death
  3. vanities
    [plural] behaviour or attitudes that show people’s vanity
    • Politics is too often concerned only with the personal vanities of politicians.
  4. (North American English)
    (also vanity table, dressing table)
    (both British and North American English) [countable] a piece of bedroom furniture like a table with drawers (= parts like boxes in it with handles on the front for pulling them open) and a mirror on top
  5. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French vanite, from Latin vanitas, from vanus ‘empty’.
See vanity in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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