Basic Details
Word: Vanity
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Too much pride in your own looks, abilities or achievements.
Synonyms: conceit, pride, self-importance
Antonyms: modesty, humility
How to Spell Vanity
Syllables: van - i - ty
Tricky part: The middle vowel is i, not a or e: vanity, not vanaty or venity. There is only one n.
Watch out for: vanaty, vannity, vanety
Memory tip: Vanity rhymes with sanity and humanity, and all three end the same way: a single n, then -ity. Van-i-ty.
Usage Examples
Example 1: His vanity made him check his hair in every shop window.
Example 2: Out of vanity, she refused to wear her spectacles on stage.
Example 3: The king's vanity cost the kingdom a fortune in statues of himself.
Fun Fact
A vanity case is a small bag for make-up, and a bathroom cabinet with a mirror above it is often sold as a vanity unit.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word vanity as used in the sentence:
The actor's vanity was so great that he wanted his name printed larger than the title of the film.
a) arrogance
b) modesty
c) conceit
d) pride
Show answer
b) modesty. Wanting your name bigger than the film's is showing off; a modest actor would not mind at all.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. vanity 2. curiousity 3. generocity 4. jealousey
a) readiness to give more than is expected
b) unhappiness at what someone else has
c) a strong wish to know about something
d) too much pride in your looks or abilities
Show answer
d) too much pride in your looks or abilities. Jealousy has no e before the y, generosity uses an s, and curious drops its u in curiosity.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters:
v_n_ty
a) e, i
b) a, e
c) a, a
d) a, i
Show answer
d) a, i. The first vowel is the a of van, and the second is the i that starts the -ity ending, as in sanity.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which act shows vanity?
a) helping a friend to tie her shoes
b) reading a book on the bus home
c) taking twenty selfies before going out
d) giving away clothes that no longer fit
Show answer
c) taking twenty selfies before going out
2. Vanity is the noun linked to which adjective?
a) vain
b) van
c) vein
d) vane
Show answer
a) vain
