conceit

American  

[kuhn-seet] / kənˈsit /

noun

1. an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability, importance, wit, etc.

   Synonyms:

   complacency, egotism, vanity, self-esteem

   Antonyms:

   humility

2. something that is conceived in the mind; a thought; idea.

   He jotted down the conceits of his idle hours.

3. imagination; fancy.

4. a fancy; whim; fanciful notion.

5. an elaborate, fanciful metaphor, especially of a strained or far-fetched nature.

6. the use of such metaphors as a literary characteristic, especially in poetry.

7. a fancy, purely decorative article.

8. British Dialect.

   1. favorable opinion; esteem.

   2. personal opinion or estimation.

9. Obsolete. the faculty of conceiving; apprehension.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to flatter (especially oneself ).

2. British Dialect. to take a fancy to; have a good opinion of.

3. Obsolete.

   1. to imagine.

   2. to conceive; apprehend.

idioms

1. out of conceit with, displeased or dissatisfied with.

conceit British  

/ kənˈsiːt /

noun

1. a high, often exaggerated, opinion of oneself or one's accomplishments; vanity

2. literary an elaborate image or far-fetched comparison, esp as used by the English Metaphysical poets

3. archaic

   1. a witty expression

   2. fancy; imagination

   3. an idea

4. obsolete a small ornament

---

verb

1. dialect to like or be able to bear (something, such as food or drink)

2. obsolete to think or imagine

Related Words

See pride.

Etymology

Origin of conceit

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English conceyte, conceipt, derivative of conceive by analogy with deceive, deceit and receive, receipt; compare Anglo-French conceite; concept

Example Sentences

It’s one of the oldest conceits ever, thinking that vulgarity makes you look tough.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It was more exciting, the idea of taking this same kind of conceit of a real person in a sitcom-like environment, and putting it in other worlds.”

From Los Angeles Times

Here, Tuason cleverly lifts a conceit from “The Ring,” where a cursed videotape gave the viewer seven days to live after popping it into the VCR.

From Salon

Advocates of administrative tribunals claim they’re more efficient than federal courts, but the Ross case belies this conceit.

From The Wall Street Journal

The series stakes its ground in the time-honored, time-worn conceit of clashing personalities forced to work side by side.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• arrogance