vanity

plural vanities

1. countableuncountableThat which is vain, futile, or worthless; that which is of no value, use or profit.

   1 more example

   Then I said in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me and why then was I more wise? Then I said in my heart that this is also vanity. / For there is no more remembrance of the wise than the fool forever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ecclesiastes 2:15–16

2. countableuncountableExcessive pride in or admiration of one's own abilities, appearance, achievements, or possessions.

   It's not vanity, to me, it's my sanity

   1979, Nile Rodgers, Bernard Edwards, “Lost in Music”, performed by Sister Sledge

   3 more examples

   To make a man in love with you gives an instant hold on his vanity; and with that, you can do any thing. Vanity is the real lever with which Archimedes said he could move the earth; so, try what you can effect with Sir Robert.

   1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “A Project”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 224

   Try to second guess what people see / All the time it's just your vanity / No one's impressed and you wonder why / Well it is, it shows in the eyes

   1981, Ashford & Simpson, “It Shows In the Eyes”, in Performance

   Social media hasn’t just weaponized our vanity—it’s transformed us from humans into curated digital performances. Our phones have become portable propaganda machines for our personal brands.

   2024 November 29, Joshua Stylman, How Engineered Dependency Erases Our Autonomy

3. countableuncountableA dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair, in which the table is normally quite low and similar to a desk.

   She was sitting in front of her vanity, brushing out her hair.

   2020, Brit Bennett, The Vanishing Half, Dialogue Books, page 148

4. countableuncountableA washbasin installed into a permanently fixed storage unit, used as an item of bathroom furniture.
5. countableobsoleteuncountableAny idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.

   It is a vanity to say that if two stones are dropped from a tower, the heavier will experience the greater acceleration.

   1 more example

   To help the matter, the alchemists call in likewise many vanities out of astrology.

   1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC

1. A female given name.

   Vanity is one of the hardest working and most reliable caregivers we have ever had.

   2020 July 7, “June 2020 Caregiver of The Month”, in BOOM!, page 32

   2 more examples

   But alumni and choir volunteer Vanity Brown says when they returned, Ms. Stevenson was told she wouldn't be allowed in the classroom for at least 120 days.

   2014 January 31, “Iris Stevenson, Beloved Crenshaw High Teacher, Banned From The Classroom”, in PACE News, page 1

   Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Vanity Johnson polishes safety light covers aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

   2018 August 16, “(advertisement)”, in The Flagship, page A4