Vanity
[ˈvænəti] or ['vænəti]
Definition
(noun.) the quality of being valueless or futile; 'he rejected the vanities of the world'.
Checked by Alden--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) The quality or state of being vain; want of substance to satisfy desire; emptiness; unsubstantialness; unrealness; falsity.
(n.) An inflation of mind upon slight grounds; empty pride inspired by an overweening conceit of one's personal attainments or decorations; an excessive desire for notice or approval; pride; ostentation; conceit.
(n.) That which is vain; anything empty, visionary, unreal, or unsubstantial; fruitless desire or effort; trifling labor productive of no good; empty pleasure; vain pursuit; idle show; unsubstantial enjoyment.
(n.) One of the established characters in the old moralities and puppet shows. See Morality, n., 5.
Checker: Thelma
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Emptiness, hollowness, worthlessness, futility, unrealness, unsubstantialness.[2]. Conceit, conceitedness, egotism, self-conceit, self-sufficiency, petty pride.[3]. Idle show, vain pursuit.
Edited by Bernice
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Emptiness, unsubstantiality, unreality, falsity, conceit, self-sufficiency,ostentation, pride, worthlessness, triviality
ANT:Substance, solidity, substantiality, reality, truth, modesty, selfdistrust,simplicity, unostentatiousness, humility
Inputed by Bess
Definition
See Vain.
Editor: Nettie
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. The tribute of a fool to the worth of the nearest ass.
Inputed by Donald
Examples
- Consols; for so it was that Becky felt the Vanity of human affairs, and it was in those securities that she would have liked to cast anchor. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- In spite of such support, and its strong appeal to national vanity, British imperialism never saturated the mass of the British peoples. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- That is the way to get on, and be respected, and have a virtuous character in Vanity Fair. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Here and there a Hatchment, with the whole science of Heraldry in it, loomed down upon the street, like an Archbishop discoursing on Vanity. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- It will be good for my vanity, I was getting too proud of my wig. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- These qualities, then, are, properly speaking, the causes of our vanity, by means of their relation to ourselves. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- O, my dear brethren and fellow-sojourners in Vanity Fair, which among you does not know and suffer under such benevolent despots? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Nevertheless, Mrs Plornish, with a pardonable vanity in that accomplishment of hers which made her all but Italian, stepped in as interpreter. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- In my situation, it would have been the extreme of vanity to be forming expectations on Mr. Crawford. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- These are the kinds of epitaphs which men pass over one another in Vanity Fair. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- To read were futile--to write, vanity indeed. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Pity the fallen gentleman: you to whom money and fair repute are the chiefest good; and so, surely, are they in Vanity Fair. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- The passion of vanity is so prompt, that it rouzes at the least call; while humility requires a stronger impulse to make it exert itself. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- It's all vanity,' said Mr. Stiggins. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The stories of violence and vanity in his closing years cluster thick upon his memory. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- But now, at hunting and hawking, and each idle sport of wood and river, who so prompt as the Templars in all these fond vanities? Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I'm glad you're going to keep one or two vanities, just by way of specimens of the old Adam. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- And then you reckon to have so much knowledge; and i' my thoughts it's only superficial sort o' vanities you're acquainted with. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I had done with my poor man's touchy pride--I had done with all my little artist vanities. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Amy was in a fair way to be spoiled, for everyone petted her, and her small vanities and selfishnesses were growing nicely. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Hitherto man has been living in a slum, amidst quarrels, revenges, vanities, shames and taints, hot desires, and urgent appetites. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- There would have been either the ostentation of a coxcomb, or the evasions of a mind too weak to defend its own vanities. Jane Austen. Emma.
- I love not these vanities, which were unknown to my fathers when England was free. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- I have long outbidden folly with folly, pride with pride, scorn with scorn, insolence with insolence, and have outlived many vanities with many more. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- His dearest vanities, ambitious hopes, had all been here. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- One thing, however, rather quenched the vanities. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- These are vanities. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- What dark, cruel comments upon Life and Vanities! William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- A score of years hence that too, that milliner's wonder, will have passed into the domain of the absurd, along with all previous vanities. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Oh, my dear young friend,' replied Mr. Stiggins, 'all taps is vanities! Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
Checked by Elisha