vanity Look up vanity at Dictionary.com
early 13c., "that which is vain, futile, or worthless," from O.Fr. vanite, from L. vanitatem (nom. vanitas) "emptiness, foolish pride," from vanus "empty, vain, idle" (see vain). Meaning "self-conceited" is attested from mid-14c. Vanity table is attested from 1936. Vanity Fair is from "Pilgrim's Progress" (1678).