vanity
Vanity refers to excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance, abilities, or achievements. The mental image is that of someone constantly checking their reflection in a mirror, obsessed with how they are perceived by others rather than who they actually are. In usage, it carries a negative connotation, suggesting that a person is shallow or self-absorbed. It is often used in collocations like "vain attempt" (meaning a futile effort) or "a matter of vanity," referring to something done solely to boost one's ego or public image.
In conversation
Discussing a colleague
He spent forty minutes fixing his hair before the meeting.
He spent forty minutes fixing his hair before the meeting.
Pure vanity, if you ask me.
Pure vanity, if you ask me.
Used to criticize someone's superficial focus on their appearance.
Reflecting on a project
Do you think we should add our names to the front page?
Do you think we should add our names to the front page?
Let's not give in to vanity; the work should speak for itself.
Let's not give in to vanity; the work should speak for itself.
Used to describe the desire for personal credit or recognition.
Examples
She looked in the mirror out of pure vanity.
She looked in the mirror out of pure vanity.
His vanity prevented him from admitting that he had made a mistake.
His vanity prevented him from admitting that he had made a mistake.
The project was a vanity project, designed solely to enhance the CEO's personal reputation.
The project was a vanity project, designed solely to enhance the CEO's personal reputation.
