swelled head

American  

noun

1. an inordinately grand opinion of oneself; conceit.

---

swelled head British  

noun

1. informal an inflated view of one's own worth, often caused by sudden success

---

Other Word Forms

• swelled-headed adjective
• swelled-headedness noun

Etymology

Origin of swelled head

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

“I matter to somebody but you can’t get a swelled head because it’s just once. It’s not like I’m Justin Bieber.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2018

Take the warnings his mother finds on the Internet and forwards to Lam and his brothers, cautioning them against the dangers of a swelled head.

From Washington Post • Jan. 25, 2018

Such plaudits could lead to a swelled head for some.

From New York Times • Feb. 21, 2015

The acclaim for Mr. Eisenberg’s excellent, Oscar-nominated performance as an intensely driven Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network” has apparently not given this talented actor a swelled head.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2011

“Now don’t you go getting a swelled head by what the schoolteacher says, boy.”

From "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep