conceited

USAGE SUMMARY

"conceited" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is excessively proud or self-important. Example sentence: She is so conceited; she talks about her fancy car and designer clothes all the time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's just quite conceited: you want your arm to look a bit cooler".

The Guardian - Music

"I'm not conceited," he later told his doctor, "but they wanted to touch me".

The Economist

Susanoo, becoming conceited over his success, began to play the role of a trickster.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Donne's contemporary, Richard Baker, wrote of him at this time as "not dissolute [i.e., careless], but very neat; a great visitor of Ladies, a great frequenter of Plays, a great writer of conceited Verses".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Taking as its main theme the manners and behaviour of the class to which it was addressed, that is, the antipuritanical theatre audience drawn largely from the court, it dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kinds; but its main theme was the sexual life led by a large number of courtiers, with their philosophy of freedom and experimentation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I love Catherine Tate as endearingly conceited French teacher Miss Postern, a woman who has never actually set foot in France, but hopes to just "go mad" and one day buy a ticket to Paris.

Independent

Roosevelt was deemed to have performed poorly on the campaign trail, appearing to be a lofty, conceited East Coast elitist.

Independent

It plays on their public personas: Coogan seems conceited; Brydon seems, well, affable.

Independent

"How can any jazz musician get conceited?" he once asked me, "He only has to put on the records of the great masters to wake up to his true status".

Independent

This comes both from the scheming of Beauty's absurdly conceited sisters and from Marais' pantomime-style antics as the well-spoken Beast.

Independent

The young student's unfailing geniality made him popular enough, but there were those who found him, in the words of one classmate, "bumptious, cocky, conceited".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conceited", ensure the context clearly indicates an excessively high opinion of oneself. Avoid using it in situations where simple pride or confidence is more appropriate.

Common error

Don't mistake genuine confidence for being "conceited". Someone who is confident recognizes their strengths but acknowledges their weaknesses; a "conceited" person overestimates their abilities and dismisses the value of others.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conceited" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns or pronouns to describe someone possessing an excessively high opinion of their own abilities or worth. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correctly used to describe someone excessively proud.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conceited" is a commonly used adjective to describe someone with an inflated sense of self-importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable word in written English. While grammatically straightforward, it carries a negative connotation, expressing disapproval of someone's excessive pride. Its frequent appearance in "News & Media" highlights its role in characterizing public figures and personalities. Related terms include "arrogant" and "vain", each offering subtle variations in meaning. Remember to use "conceited" judiciously, ensuring the context warrants its critical tone and avoiding confusion with mere confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-important

Directly emphasizes an inflated sense of one's own significance.

arrogant

Indicates a stronger sense of superiority and disregard for others.

egotistical

Highlights self-centeredness and a tendency to talk about oneself.

vain

Focuses more on excessive pride in one's appearance or achievements.

pompous

Suggests an exaggerated sense of self-importance and formality.

haughty

Conveys arrogance and a condescending attitude.

stuck-up

An informal term implying aloofness and disdain for those considered inferior.

self-satisfied

Indicates contentment with oneself, often to an excessive degree.

overweening

Suggests excessive confidence or pride; often used in a critical way.

assuming

Implies acting superior or entitled.

FAQs

How can I use "conceited" in a sentence?

You can use "conceited" to describe someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves. For example, "He's so conceited; he always brags about his achievements".

What's the difference between arrogant and "conceited"?

"Conceited" generally refers to an inflated sense of self-worth, while "arrogant" suggests a stronger sense of superiority and a disregard for others.

What are some synonyms for "conceited"?

Some synonyms for "conceited" include "vain", "egotistical", "arrogant", and "self-important".

Is it okay to call someone "conceited"?

Calling someone "conceited" is generally considered negative, as it implies they have an excessively high opinion of themselves. It's often used to express disapproval of their behavior or attitude.