Vanity Fair

American  

noun

1. (in Bunyan'sPilgrim's Progress ) a fair that goes on perpetually in the town of Vanity and symbolizes worldly ostentation and frivolity.

2. (often lowercase) any place or group, as the world or fashionable society, characterized by or displaying a preoccupation with idle pleasures or ostentation.

3. (italics) a novel (1847–48) by Thackeray.

---

Vanity Fair British  

noun

1. literary (often not capitals) the social life of a community, esp of a great city, or the world in general, considered as symbolizing worldly frivolity

---

Vanity Fair Cultural  

1. (1847–1848) A novel by the English author William Makepeace Thackeray. The leading character is Becky Sharp, an unscrupulous woman who gains wealth and influence by her cleverness.

---

Etymology

Origin of Vanity Fair

from Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Vanity Fair

"He has broken down the brand's codes, projecting them into a new era," Pierre Groppo, fashion and lifestyle editor-in-chief at Vanity Fair, told AFP.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

During Lynch’s time at the helm, Condé Nast, which owns Vogue, the New Yorker and Vanity Fair, faced challenges.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

That decision likely led NBC to yank the plug despite its high ratings, Fales-Hill admitted to Vanity Fair.

From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2026

“I think the optics are obvious,” the Emmy award-winning actor told Vanity Fair in an interview published Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026

“In high school I read jane Eyre, Vanity Fair, Great Expectations, et cetera,” Immie went on.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---