vainglory

American  

[veyn-glawr-ee, -glohr-ee, veyn-glawr-ee, -glohr-ee] / ˈveɪnˌglɔr i, -ˌgloʊr i, veɪnˈglɔr i, -ˈgloʊr i /

noun

1. excessive elation or pride over one's own achievements, abilities, etc.; boastful vanity.

   Antonyms:

   humility

2. empty pomp or show.

   Synonyms:

   ostentation

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vainglory British  

/ ˌveɪnˈɡlɔːrɪ /

noun

1. boastfulness or vanity

2. ostentation

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Related Words

See pride.

Etymology

Origin of vainglory

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English vainglorie, vein glorie, from Old French vaine gloiri, from translation of Latin vāna glōria “empty glory”; ( vain, glory )

Example Sentences

“Vanity, vainglory, dissatisfaction with my work,” he told the court, “and love of an easy life led me to the criminal path.”

From Literature

That’s the mantra for wide receivers, a group long known for their vainglory.

From Los Angeles Times

When Williams conducts the “Imperial March,” he can both scare you with the Empire’s fully-operational battle power, as with the Berlin Philharmonic, and mock its vainglory, as with the Vienna Philharmonic.

From New York Times

Another way to view this, as "The White Lotus" reminds us, is that the show's exhibitions of vainglory and egotism are neither inherently masculine nor feminine.

From Salon

Tseng told them it would look as if it were billowing in the wind, but the flag just looks abused, and the men in front of it appear puffed with vainglory.

From The New Yorker