out of vanity

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of vanity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone's behaviour that is motivated by their need to appear attractive or important, for example: John bought a new sports car out of vanity, hoping to impress his neighbours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Regulators did so out of vanity.

The New York Times

"They're not working out of vanity," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

As for diamonds, they were bought out of vanity.

The Economist

A lot of Kazakhstan's infrastructure projects are done out of vanity," says Mr Anceschi.

The Economist

I pace my energy and try to maintain myself physically, mostly out of vanity.

The New York Times

"No one would ever do this out of vanity," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The items always fit in the medicine cabinet, they spill out of vanities and they create clutter in the shower.

Huffington Post

Soon after two Silicon Valley billionaires launched an online initiative to rejuvenate the Democratic Party Monday night, veteran progressive political operatives began mocking it as an out-of-touch vanity project.

HuffPost

It's hard to sort out the mixture of vanity, partisanship, and wounded feelings that would lead them to underscore the bitterness that this campaign has brought to the country, rather than try to mitigate it.

The New Yorker

In gowns that seem formal, otherworldly and occasionally ill-fitting, long-haired women of various shapes and sizes (though mostly spectre-thin) act out moments of vanity and vulnerability.

The Economist

He prowls around the stage with body angled permanently forwards, like a mix of Tati's Hulot and Sellers's Clouseau, and brings out Truscott's mix of vanity and viciousness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of vanity" to clearly indicate that someone's actions are primarily motivated by a desire to enhance their appearance or inflate their ego, rather than more altruistic or practical reasons.

Common error

Avoid using "out of vanity" when the motivation is genuinely practical or necessary; ensure the context clearly indicates a superficial or self-aggrandizing motive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of vanity" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to explain the motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms it is used to indicate that the reason for doing something is related to a desire for self-admiration or to impress others. For example, "He exercises daily out of vanity."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of vanity" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that explains an action's motivation stemming from a desire for self-admiration or to impress others. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for describing behaviors driven by superficial or ego-related reasons. It appears frequently in news and media, and while it can carry a negative connotation, its register remains generally neutral. When using "out of vanity", ensure the context accurately reflects the superficial or self-aggrandizing nature of the motive. Alternative phrases like "motivated by pride" or "to impress others" can provide similar meaning while adjusting the specific emphasis. Be mindful not to use the phrase when the motivation is practical, necessary or altruistic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by pride

Emphasizes the feeling of self-importance as the primary motivator.

acting from conceit

Focuses on an exaggerated sense of one's own abilities or worth.

driven by ego

Shifts focus to the ego as the driving force, rather than the superficial appearance.

due to narcissism

Indicates a personality trait characterized by excessive self-admiration.

for the sake of appearance

Highlights the importance of how something looks to others.

from a self-centered perspective

Highlights the egocentric viewpoint behind the action.

out of a desire for attention

Highlights the craving for notice or acknowledgement from others.

to impress others

Focuses on the desire to create a favorable impression.

because of superficiality

Highlights the lack of depth or genuine concern.

with an eye to self-promotion

Suggests an intention to advance one's own image or career.

FAQs

How can I use "out of vanity" in a sentence?

You can use "out of vanity" to explain why someone did something to improve their appearance or boost their ego. For example, "He bought the expensive watch "out of vanity", hoping to impress his clients".

What's a similar phrase to "out of vanity"?

Phrases like "motivated by pride", "for the sake of appearance", or "to impress others" can be used instead of "out of vanity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is acting "out of vanity"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms it’s acceptable to describe actions motivated by a desire for self-enhancement or admiration as being done "out of vanity".

What's the difference between acting "out of vanity" and acting "out of pride"?

Acting "out of vanity" specifically refers to actions driven by a desire to improve one's appearance or impress others, while acting "out of pride" suggests actions motivated by a sense of self-importance or a reluctance to admit fault.