Definition of 'vanity'
uncountable noun
If you refer to someone's vanity, you are critical of them because they take great pride in their appearance or abilities.
[disapproval]
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
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Word Frequency
vanity in American English
nounWord forms: plural ˈvanities
1.
any thing or act that is vain, futile, idle, or worthless
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
6. US
SIMILAR WORDS: pride
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
vanity in American English
(ˈvænɪti) (noun plural -ties)
noun
1.
excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, achievements, etc.; character or quality of being vain; conceit
Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity
3.
something about which one is vain
6. See vanity case
7. See dressing table
8.
adjective
SYNONYMS 1. egotism, complacency, vainglory, ostentation. See pride. 4. emptiness, sham, unreality, folly, triviality, futility.ANTONYMS 1. humility.11.
a vanity production
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
vanitied adjective
Word Frequency
vanity in British English
nounWord forms: plural -ties
2.
3.
an instance of being vain or something about which one is vain
adjective
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C13: from Old French vanité, from Latin vānitās emptiness, from vānus empty
Examples of 'vanity' in a sentence
vanity
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Quotations
Vanity is a vital aid to nature: completely and absolutely necessary to life. It is one of nature's ways to bind you to the earthNecessary Secrets
Vanity, like murder, will outThe Belle's Stratagem
Possibly, more people kill themselves and others out of hurt vanity than out of envy, jealousy, malice or desire for revengeThe Philosopher's Pupil
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity Bible: Ecclesiastes
Trends of
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In other languages
vanity
British English: vanity
NOUN /ˈvænətɪ/
If you refer to someone's vanity, you are critical of them because they take great pride in their appearance or abilities.
He was motivated by sheer vanity.
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vanity
Related terms of
vanity
Source
Definition of vanity from the Collins English Dictionary
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