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Vanity: meaning, example and synonyms

Vanityn. Excessive pride in one's own appearance, abilities, or achievements.

Flashcard for Vanity (noun): excessive pride in one's own appearance, abilities, or achievements. Example: The memoir's chief flaw is its author's vanity: every setback is blamed on rivals, while every success is credited to his own unrivaled genius. Synonyms: conceit, narcissism, egotism, self-importance. Antonyms: modesty, humility, self-effacement. Memory tip: Vain + -ity: a vain person can't stop admiring their own reflection. Illustration: a nobleman in an ornate period coat admiring himself in a tall gilded mirror in a grand room, several framed portraits of himself on the walls; people drawn naturally and fully clothed, no logos, signs, flags, written words or sound effects.

Example

The memoir's chief flaw is its author's vanity: every setback is blamed on rivals, while every success is credited to his own unrivaled genius.

Part of speech
noun
Synonyms
conceit, narcissism, egotism, self-importance
Antonyms
modesty, humility, self-effacement
Memory tip
Vain + -ity: a vain person can't stop admiring their own reflection.

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Check yourself: Vanity in context

Pick the word that best completes each text.

Question 1

The painter's ______ was legendary: she refused to exhibit any canvas that did not feature her own likeness, convinced that critics came chiefly to admire her.

Question 2

The biographer suggests that the explorer's ______, rather than scientific curiosity, drove him to name nearly every peak and river he encountered after himself.

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