1. The quality or condition of being vain.
2. Excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceit. See synonyms at conceit.
3. Lack of usefulness, worth, or effect; worthlessness.
4. 1. Something that is vain, futile, or worthless.
   2. Something about which one is vain or conceited.
5. A vanity case.
6. See dressing table.
7. A bathroom cabinet that encloses a basin and its water lines and drain, usually furnished with shelves and drawers underneath for storage of toiletries.

[Middle English vanite, from Old French, from Latin vānitās, from vānus, empty.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.