Vanity:
To me, the primary meaning of vanity is that of being exceedingly conceited or arrogant about one’s abilities, looks, intelligence, etc.
I also think that vanity is having too much pride in your appearance and also in your capabilities.
In conventional parlance, vanity is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness to others (Stephen LaMarche).
Prior to the 14th century it did not have such narcissistic undertones, and merely meant futility.
The related term vainglory is now often seen as an archaic synonym for vanity, but originally meant boasting in vain, i.e. unjustified boasting; although glory is now seen as having an exclusively positive meaning, the Latin term gloria (from which it derives) roughly means boasting, and was often used as a negative criticism.
I also think that vanity is having too much pride in your appearance and also in your capabilities.
In conventional parlance, vanity is the excessive belief in one's own abilities or attractiveness to others (Stephen LaMarche).
Prior to the 14th century it did not have such narcissistic undertones, and merely meant futility.
The related term vainglory is now often seen as an archaic synonym for vanity, but originally meant boasting in vain, i.e. unjustified boasting; although glory is now seen as having an exclusively positive meaning, the Latin term gloria (from which it derives) roughly means boasting, and was often used as a negative criticism.
What does the Bible say about Vanity?
Bible Says Vanity Is Like "Grasping For The Wind"
No one was more prepared to speak on the subject of vanity than Solomon. He lived a life chasing all the traps that his money could set for him. After he finally learned that it would get him nowhere, he wrote a book about it and called it Ecclesiastes.
The word is most often used in the Bible to signify emptiness, pointlessness and worthlessness. The book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, shows how he learned that God is the only path to finding meaning in life. Using a messianic character called "the Preacher" to illustrate his points, he begins Ecclesiastes by identifying the Preacher and then saying, "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity." He goes on to point out all the apparent pointlessness of human life, and has a continuing theme that "all is vanity and vexation of spirit."
Solomon tells us that nothing “under the sun” has eternal value. The things that really matter are those things that we carry with us throughout eternity.
References to vanity appear often in the Bible, and the word has a variety of meanings such as meaninglessness, wickedness, falseness, idolatry, worthlessness and futility. The way we typically use this word today to mean "boastful" is actually not that common in the Bible.
Also, in Christian teachings vanity is considered an example of pride, one of the seven deadly sins. This list evolved from an earlier list of eight sins, which included vainglory as a sin independent of pride.
No one was more prepared to speak on the subject of vanity than Solomon. He lived a life chasing all the traps that his money could set for him. After he finally learned that it would get him nowhere, he wrote a book about it and called it Ecclesiastes.
The word is most often used in the Bible to signify emptiness, pointlessness and worthlessness. The book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, shows how he learned that God is the only path to finding meaning in life. Using a messianic character called "the Preacher" to illustrate his points, he begins Ecclesiastes by identifying the Preacher and then saying, "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity." He goes on to point out all the apparent pointlessness of human life, and has a continuing theme that "all is vanity and vexation of spirit."
Solomon tells us that nothing “under the sun” has eternal value. The things that really matter are those things that we carry with us throughout eternity.
References to vanity appear often in the Bible, and the word has a variety of meanings such as meaninglessness, wickedness, falseness, idolatry, worthlessness and futility. The way we typically use this word today to mean "boastful" is actually not that common in the Bible.
Also, in Christian teachings vanity is considered an example of pride, one of the seven deadly sins. This list evolved from an earlier list of eight sins, which included vainglory as a sin independent of pride.
Here is a section by Dictionary.com of what vanity means: noun, plural van·i·ties,adjective, noun
1. excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities,achievements, etc.; character or quality of being vain; conceit: Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity.
2. an instance or display of this quality or feeling.
3. something about which one is vain.
4. lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness: the vanity of a selfish life.
5. something worthless, trivial, or pointless.
1. excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities,achievements, etc.; character or quality of being vain; conceit: Failure to be elected was a great blow to his vanity.
2. an instance or display of this quality or feeling.
3. something about which one is vain.
4. lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness: the vanity of a selfish life.
5. something worthless, trivial, or pointless.