vanity
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
having too much pride in your own appearance, abilities, or achievements.
excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
Simple“His vanity was so great that he couldn't walk past a mirror without looking at himself.”
In context“The politician's vanity eventually became his downfall, as he refused to listen to any advice that contradicted his own high opinion of himself.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a small table with a mirror that you use when putting on makeup or fixing your hair.
a piece of bedroom furniture consisting of a low table and a mirror, used while applying makeup or grooming.
Simple“She sat at her vanity every morning to brush her hair and put on her jewelry.”
In context“The antique vanity featured intricate wood carvings and a heavy crystal mirror that had been passed down through three generations.”
UsageCountable noun.
Teacher's tipIn British English, 'dressing table' is the standard term for this piece of furniture.
Synonymsdressing tablebureau - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a cabinet under a bathroom sink that hides the pipes and provides storage.
a bathroom unit consisting of a washbasin set into a flat top with cupboards or drawers underneath.
Simple“We chose a marble top for the new bathroom vanity during the renovation.”
In context“The contractor suggested a double vanity for the master bathroom to provide sufficient storage and counter space for the couple.”
UsageCountable noun.
- 04 C1 Advanced
the quality of being useless or having no real value.
the quality of being worthless, futile, or lacking in real value. Often used in literary or religious contexts.
Simple“The poet wrote about the vanity of chasing fame and money.”
In context“The philosopher argued that the pursuit of material wealth was mere vanity in the face of eternal truths.”
UsageUncountable noun.
Teacher's tipOften encountered in the phrase 'vanity of vanities' from biblical literature.
Antonyms
“In early July United unveiled plans for their proposed new 100,000-seater stadium , located about 350 metres north-west of Old Trafford, insisting this is a “sanity, not vanity project”.”
“All of the major parties declined to field candidates and take part in what they called a “media circus” and “vanity project”.”
From va(i)n + -ity, from Middle English vanite, from Old French vanité, from Latin vānitas, from vānus, whence English vain. Doublet of vanitas.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.