French word

vaniteux

Pronunciation

IPA/vanitø/

Meaning

  • adjectivevain

Example

Elle est vaniteuse.

She is vain.

Illustration for vaniteux (vain)

More examples

Il a l'air vaniteux quand il raconte ses voyages.

He looks conceited when he talks about his travels.

Core concept

A person preening before a mirror or camera, turning self-display into a claim on others' admiration.

Common phrases

  • avoir l'air vaniteux

    look conceited

  • sourire vaniteux

    a conceited smile

Similar words

prétentieux: Presenting oneself as more impressive or capable than reality warrants.
orgueilleux: Having strong pride in one's abilities or accomplishments.

Definition in French

Qui montre une fierté excessive de soi, surtout centrée sur l'apparence ou sur le désir d'être admiré.

Word origin

Vaniteux is formed from vanité with the adjective ending -eux; vanité comes from Latin vanitas, from vanus, meaning 'empty'.

Usage tips

  • Vaniteux commonly focuses on appearance or being admired, whereas fier can express pride and orgueilleux often suggests excessive pride more broadly.

Other meanings

  • conceitedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • vaniteusementconceitedlyadverb

Word lists with this word