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vanity

Syllabification: (van·i·ty)
Pronunciation: /ˈvanətē/

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Definition of vanity

noun (plural vanities)

  • 1excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements:it flattered his vanity to think I was in love with him the personal vanities and ambitions of politicians
  • [as modifier] denoting a person or company that publishes works at the author’s expense:a vanity press
  • 2the quality of being worthless or futile:the vanity of human wishes
  • 3a dressing table.
  • a bathroom unit consisting of a washbasin typically set into a counter with a cabinet beneath.

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French vanite, from Latin vanitas, from vanus 'empty' (see vain)

vanity in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of vanity in the British & World English dictionary