What does vanity mean?
Vanity names excessive pride in oneself, particularly in relation to appearance, talent, status, or personal importance. It commonly implies a lack of humility and can describe a person's preoccupation with admiration, fashion, or outward image. In a broader literary sense, vanity can refer to the fragility or emptiness of worldly ambitions, as in reflections on “the vanity of human life.” The word may also mean a vanity table, a small dressing table with an attached mirror. Its modern sense grew from the Latin vanitas, meaning emptiness or worthlessness, through French and Middle English. In ordinary use, vanity is generally pejorative, though context can make it sound moralizing or philosophical rather than directly personal. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing not merely pride, but pride that is excessive, self-focused, and often disconnected from genuine achievement or concern for others.
nounExcessive pride in one's appearance, abilities, achievements, or importance; a lack of humility. It can also refer to a dressing table with a mirror and, more generally, to superficial concern with outward appearance.
- Excessive pride in oneself, one's appearance, abilities, achievements, or importance, especially with little regard for others.
- Superficial concern with appearance, fashion, admiration, or empty self-importance.
- A dressing table fitted with a mirror, now especially associated with bedrooms and dressing rooms.
"Her success was impressive, but her refusal to accept criticism revealed a deeper vanity."
"The actor's vanity was evident whenever another performer received praise."
"A simple vanity table and an old mirror occupied one corner of the room."
The plural is used when referring to multiple instances of vanity or to multiple instances of excessive self-regard.
"The novel explores the vanities of political power."
From Latin vanitas, vanity literally meant emptiness: a fascination with what is empty, superficial, or merely outward.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does vanity come from?
Middle English borrowed the word from Old French vanité, which came from Latin vanitas, a noun meaning emptiness, vanity, or worthlessness. Latin vanitas was derived from vanus, meaning empty, useless, or vain. The same root appears in English words such as vain, vainglory, and vainglorious, as well as in related forms in several modern Romance languages.
Related word forms
How vanity is actually used
The word is usually critical or disapproving when describing a person's excessive self-regard. In literary or reflective contexts, phrases such as “the vanity of human life” can sound more general and philosophical. The compound “vanity mirror” is neutral and refers to a mirror mounted on a dressing table.
Easily confused with vanity
“Vain” is usually an adjective meaning excessively proud or futile, whereas “vanity” is a noun naming that quality or the associated self-regard.