Word
conceit
Phoneticscon·ceit, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈsit/
UK/kənsˈiːt/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a belief that you are much more important or clever than other people. It can also mean a clever or original idea that shows off the writer's skill.
n. an exaggerated sense of self-importance or intellectual superiority. In a literary context, it refers to a clever or elaborate metaphor or figure of speech that displays the author's ingenuity.
Examples
“His arrogance was nothing more than a simple conceit.”
“The poet's use of a grand conceit comparing the heart to a clock demonstrates his mastery of metaphor.”
“While the protagonist's conceit makes him a difficult character to like, it also serves as a vehicle for the author's exploration of human hubris.”
Examples
simple
“His arrogance was nothing more than a simple conceit.”
contextual
“The poet's use of a grand conceit comparing the heart to a clock demonstrates his mastery of metaphor.”
complex
“While the protagonist's conceit makes him a difficult character to like, it also serves as a vehicle for the author's exploration of human hubris.”
Real-World Examples
“Occasionally, there are sketches that stretch the conceit almost to breaking point.” “I was too preoccupied scanning his audience for potential assassins.”
Harris’s framing conceit is that the text we are reading is Agrippa’s memoir, written in some haste and high feeling.” Etymology
From Middle English conceyte, formed from conceyven by analogy with pairs such as (Modern English) deceive~deceit, receive~receipt etc. Doublet of concept and concetto. Akin to Portuguese conceito.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/conceit