Vanity vs. Vain

By Jaxson

  • Vanity

    Vanity is the excessive belief in one’s own abilities or attractiveness to others. Prior to the 14th century it did not have such narcissistic undertones, and merely meant futility. The related term vainglory is now often seen as an archaic synonym for vanity, but originally meant boasting in vain, i.e. unjustified boasting; although glory is now seen as having a predominantly positive meaning, the Latin term from which it derives, gloria, roughly means boasting, and was often used as a negative criticism.

Wikipedia
  • Vanity (noun)

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

  • Vanity (noun)

    Excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own abilities, appearance or achievements.

  • Vanity (noun)

    A dressing table used to apply makeup, preen, and coif hair. The table is normally quite low and similar to a desk, with drawers and one or more mirrors on top. Either a chair or bench is used to sit upon.

  • Vanity (noun)

    A washbasin installed into a permanently fixed storage unit, used as an item of bathroom furniture.

  • Vanity (noun)

    Emptiness.

  • Vanity (noun)

    Any idea, theory or statement that is without foundation.

  • Vain (adjective)

    Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one’s own accomplishments with slight reason.

  • Vain (adjective)

    Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

  • Vain (adjective)

    Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.

    “vain toil;”

    “a vain attempt”

  • Vain (adjective)

    Showy; ostentatious.

Wiktionary
  • Vanity (noun)

    excessive pride in or admiration of one’s own appearance or achievements

    “the vanities and ambitions of politicians”

    “it flattered his vanity to think I was in love with him”

  • Vanity (noun)

    denoting a person or company publishing works at the author’s expense

    “a vanity press”

  • Vanity (noun)

    the quality of being worthless or futile

    “the vanity of human wishes”

  • Vanity (noun)

    a dressing table.

  • Vain (adjective)

    having or showing an excessively high opinion of one’s appearance, abilities, or worth

    “a vain woman with a streak of snobbery”

    “their flattery made him vain”

  • Vain (adjective)

    producing no result; useless

    “a vain attempt to tidy up the room”

    “the vain hope of finding work”

  • Vain (adjective)

    having no likelihood of fulfilment; empty

    “a vain boast”

Oxford Dictionary

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