a conceited fool

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conceited fool" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is excessively proud of themselves and lacks wisdom or common sense. Example: "Despite his many flaws, he continues to act like a conceited fool, believing he knows everything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A relative of mine, a British colonial servant stationed in Fiji, saw him as "a meddling conceited fool, who thinks as a successful novelist he should be allowed to try to rule Samoa".

The Guardian - Books

If you are interested in why Blair made his mistakes, you won't find any profounder explanation than the repeated assertion that he was a duplicitous and conceited fool.

The Guardian - Books

Before AIDS, he said: "I must have been a conceited ass, full of knowledge.

The New York Times - Health

Far from a conceited gesture, he showed himself as one of the damned.

Independent

(Lizzy calls him, in a letter to her sister, a "conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man").

The New Yorker

Miller went on to describe Higgins as "a conceited, arrogant fop" and "a shallow idiot".

The New Yorker

Is a conceited fellow by his own admission, and likes to eat.

The New Yorker

She's also a conceited asshole.

Vice

Don't write him off as a conceited jerk.

Huffington Post

For years, it seemed otherwise; he came across as a conceited jerk and an egomaniac.

Huffington Post

He was a conceited, pale, peering creature from some shit hole near Chicago.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a conceited fool" to pointedly critique someone's inflated ego and lack of common sense. It's effective for expressing disapproval or highlighting a character's flaw in writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a conceited fool" when simple ignorance is the primary issue. The phrase implies a level of arrogance and self-regard, not just a lack of knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conceited fool" functions as a noun phrase used to describe a person. It combines the adjective "conceited", indicating excessive pride, with the noun "fool", denoting a lack of good sense or judgment. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a conceited fool" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's an adjective phrase used to describe someone displaying both arrogance and foolishness. While the phrase is more common in news and media, its judgmental tone makes it unsuitable for formal or professional contexts. Alternatives like "an arrogant simpleton" or "a pompous idiot" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Ludwig AI can provide more contextual examples and alternative suggestions for refining your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an arrogant simpleton

Emphasizes arrogance and lack of intelligence.

a pompous idiot

Highlights inflated self-importance and stupidity.

a vain imbecile

Focuses on vanity and foolishness.

a self-absorbed moron

Stresses self-centeredness and low intelligence.

an egotistical dolt

Emphasizes egotism and lack of wit.

a smug simpleton

Highlights smugness combined with a lack of intelligence.

a presumptuous ignoramus

Focuses on presumption and ignorance.

a conceited ass

Uses a different noun to describe the foolishness.

an arrogant buffoon

Emphasizes arrogance with a comedic term for foolishness.

a pretentious fool

Highlights pretentiousness and foolishness.

FAQs

How can I use "a conceited fool" in a sentence?

You can use "a conceited fool" to describe someone who is both arrogant and lacking in good judgment. For example: "Despite his many failures, he continues to act like "a conceited fool", believing he knows everything."

What's the difference between "a conceited fool" and "an arrogant idiot"?

While both phrases describe someone negatively, ""a conceited fool"" emphasizes a combination of vanity and lack of wisdom, while "an "arrogant idiot"" focuses more on arrogance and general stupidity.

What are some synonyms for "a conceited fool"?

Synonyms for ""a conceited fool"" include "an arrogant simpleton", "a pompous idiot", or "a vain imbecile", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a conceited fool" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, ""a conceited fool"" is generally considered informal and may be too harsh for formal writing. More neutral alternatives might be more suitable.