vanity
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.
1. A piece of bedroom furniture, typically a low table with a mirror, used for applying makeup and grooming. 2. The quality of being worthless or futile; the emptiness of a pursuit or desire. 3. A vain, empty, or worthless thing.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a strong negative moral judgment when referring to excessive pride. In its furniture sense, it is neutral and technical. In its 'futility' sense, it is philosophical/literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The furniture sense is more common in North American English ('dressing table' is preferred in UK). The spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical; carries the same negative judgment for pride.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[vanity] of [noun phrase] (the vanity of human wishes)[adjective] vanity (ridiculous vanity)verb + vanity (satisfy one's vanity)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “vanity of vanities”
- “vanity plate (US: personalised license plate)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; sometimes used critically: 'The CEO's vanity project drained company resources.'
Academic
Common in philosophy, theology, and literature discussing human nature and mortality.
Everyday
Used to criticise someone's excessive pride: 'It's just vanity that makes him post so many selfies.'
Technical
In publishing: 'vanity press/publisher' (author pays to be published).
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A vanity project funded by the council was widely criticised.
- He installed a vanity unit in the new bathroom.
American English
- The mayor was accused of pushing a vanity infrastructure project.
- She bought a new vanity for her bedroom remodel.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She looked at herself in the mirror with vanity.
- His vanity would not allow him to wear glasses in public.
- The actress's vanity was evident from her social media.
- The film was dismissed by critics as a mere vanity project for its wealthy producer.
- He saw the endless pursuit of fame as the ultimate vanity.
- The sermon explored the theme of 'vanitas', reminding the congregation of the vanity of all earthly possessions.
- Her philanthropic efforts were unmasked as being motivated less by altruism than by personal vanity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of VANity as a VAn where you store your excessive pride about yourself.
Conceptual Metaphor
VANITY IS AN EMPTY CONTAINER / VANITY IS A FEEBLE REFLECTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'суета' (haste/bustle). The correct concept is 'тщеславие' or 'суетность' (futility).
- The furniture 'vanity' has no direct common equivalent; use 'туалетный столик'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'vanity' to mean 'embarrassment' (e.g., 'I felt vanity' is wrong).
- Confusing 'vanity' (pride) with 'vain' (futile) in the wrong context.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'vanity' used NEUTRALLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Vanity' is specifically excessive, unwarranted, or focused-on-appearance pride, and is always negative. 'Pride' can be positive (e.g., pride in one's work) or negative.
No, in its core meaning related to character, it is exclusively negative. The furniture sense is neutral.
Primarily a US term for a personalized license plate on a vehicle, chosen for personal expression.
A Biblical phrase (Ecclesiastes) emphasizing the ultimate emptiness and futility of all human endeavors and worldly things.