vanity
UK: ˈvænəti | US: ˈvænəti
n. excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements
n. the quality of being worthless or futile
n. a dressing table (archaic)
vanity = van<empty> + ity<noun suffix>
- van (from Latin vanus, meaning "empty, hollow, futile")
- ity (noun-forming suffix indicating state or quality, from Latin -itas)
Etymology Origin:
The word "vanity" traces back to Latin vanitas, derived from vanus (empty/futile). It originally described emptiness or worthlessness, later evolving to denote excessive pride—a metaphorical "emptiness" of true value. The archaic sense of "dressing table" (18th century) humorously linked vanity to superficial self-adornment.
His vanity made him spend hours admiring himself in the mirror.
She saw the pursuit of fame as sheer vanity.
The antique vanity was adorned with a carved mahogany frame.
The preacher warned against the vanity of worldly possessions.
Modern social media often amplifies human vanity.