Conceit vs. Egotism — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 20, 2024
Conceit often implies an excessively favorable opinion of one's abilities or appearance, while egotism denotes an excessive, self-centered ambition or sense of importance.
Difference Between Conceit and Egotism
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Key Differences
Conceit can be seen in individuals who have an inflated sense of their own attractiveness, intelligence, or other qualities, often disregarding others' perceptions or realities. Whereas egotism is characterized by an overarching focus on oneself, often at the expense of empathy and consideration for others, leading to behaviors that prioritize one's own needs and desires.
Individuals with conceit may not always act on their self-admiration, instead, they might simply harbor these feelings internally. On the other hand, egotism is usually more visible in actions and attitudes, as egotists tend to make decisions and behave in ways that clearly demonstrate their self-preoccupation.
Conceit can sometimes be mistaken for confidence but tends to cross the line by overestimating one's capabilities or value. Egotism, however, is a broader trait that encompasses not just an inflated self-view but also a disregard for others, often manifesting in self-serving behaviors.
While conceit may manifest in specific areas, such as one's looks or intelligence, egotism is more all-encompassing, affecting how a person interacts with the world and others in it. Egotists often view themselves as central to every situation, whereas the conceited might only feel superior in particular contexts.
Conceit can occasionally be subtle, presenting as a quiet but unshakable belief in one's superiority in certain respects. Egotism, in contrast, is rarely subtle, often resulting in overt expressions of self-importance and a tendency to overlook others' contributions or needs.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Excessive pride in oneself, especially in one's talents or appearance.
Self-centeredness and excessive regard for oneself.
Manifestation
Often internalized; may not always lead to outward behavior.
Visible in actions and attitudes; clearly impacts behavior.
Relation to Others
May not directly impact others unless expressed.
Often leads to behaviors that disregard or undervalue others.
Specificity
Usually pertains to specific qualities or areas.
Broad and affects general interaction with the world.
Intensity and Scope
Can be subtle and confined to certain aspects.
More pervasive and evident in a wider range of behaviors.
Compare with Definitions
Conceit
Excessive pride in one's abilities.
Her conceit about her singing talent made her dismiss any constructive criticism.
Egotism
Obsession with oneself.
His egotism made him the subject of every conversation.
Conceit
Overestimation of one's attractiveness.
Her conceit led her to believe everyone was envious of her looks.
Egotism
Disregard for others' feelings.
Her egotism prevented her from noticing her friend's distress.
Conceit
Unwarranted self-importance.
His conceit was evident when he claimed he was the only one capable of solving the problem.
Egotism
Self-centered ambition.
His career decisions were driven by pure egotism, with no regard for his family.
Conceit
Illusion of superiority in intellect.
His academic conceit isolated him from his peers, who found him unbearable.
Egotism
Inflated self-view affecting behavior.
His egotism manifested in a lack of empathy and understanding towards others.
Conceit
Narcissism in specific areas.
His conceit in his cooking skills meant he couldn't handle anyone else in the kitchen.
Egotism
Excessive sense of self-importance.
Her egotism was off-putting, especially in team settings where collaboration was key.
Conceit
In modern literary criticism, more common with genre fiction, conceit often means an extended rhetorical device, summed up in a short phrase, that refers to a situation which either does not exist, or exists rarely, but is needed for the plot. "Faster than light travel" and "superior alien science" are examples from science fiction; the "hardboiled private gumshoe" is an example from detective stories.
Egotism
Egotism is defined as the drive to maintain and enhance favorable views of oneself, and generally features an inflated opinion of one's personal features and importance distinguished by a person's amplified vision of ones self and self importance. It often includes intellectual, physical, social and other overestimations.
Conceit
Excessive pride in oneself
He was puffed up with conceit
Egotism
An inflated sense of one's own importance; conceit.
Conceit
An ingenious or fanciful comparison or metaphor
The idea of the wind's singing is a prime romantic conceit
Egotism
A tendency to talk excessively about oneself.
Conceit
Unduly favorable estimation of one's own abilities or worth; overly positive self-regard.
Egotism
A belief that one is superior to or more important than others.
Conceit
(Archaic) Estimation or opinion of something, especially when favorable.
Egotism
(countable) The result or product of being egoistic.
Conceit
A witty expression or fanciful idea
"opinionated and very funny in his conceits" (Paul Theroux).
Egotism
Egoism belief that behavior should be directed towards one's self-interest.
Conceit
A fanciful poetic image, especially an elaborate or exaggerated comparison.
Egotism
The practice of too frequently using the word I; hence, a speaking or writing overmuch of one's self; self-exaltation; self-praise; the act or practice of magnifying one's self or parading one's own doings. The word is also used in the sense of egoism.
His excessive egotism, which filled all objects with himself.
Conceit
(Obsolete) The result of intellectual activity; a thought or an opinion.
Egotism
An exaggerated opinion of your own importance
Conceit
A decorative article; a knickknack.
Egotism
An inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others
Conceit
An extravagant, fanciful, and elaborate construction or structure
"a bulky stone conceit with its paws clenched" (Edie Meidev).
Conceit
Chiefly British To take a fancy to.
Conceit
(Obsolete) To understand; conceive.
Conceit
(obsolete) Something conceived in the mind; an idea, a thought.
Conceit
The faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension.
A man of quick conceit
Conceit
Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy.
Conceit
(obsolete) Opinion, (neutral) judgment.
Conceit
Esteem, favourable opinion.
Conceit
(countable) A novel or fanciful idea; a whim.
Conceit
An ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.
Conceit
(uncountable) Overly high self-esteem; vain pride; hubris.
Conceit
Design; pattern.
Conceit
(obsolete) To form an idea; to think.
Conceit
To conceive.
Conceit
That which is conceived, imagined, or formed in the mind; idea; thought; image; conception.
In laughing, there ever procedeth a conceit of somewhat ridiculous.
A man wise in his own conceit.
Conceit
Faculty of conceiving ideas; mental faculty; apprehension; as, a man of quick conceit.
How often, alas! did her eyes say unto me that they loved! and yet I, not looking for such a matter, had not my conceit open to understand them.
Conceit
Quickness of apprehension; active imagination; lively fancy.
His wit's as thick as Tewksbury mustard; there's more conceit in him than is in a mallet.
Conceit
A fanciful, odd, or extravagant notion; a quant fancy; an unnatural or affected conception; a witty thought or turn of expression; a fanciful device; a whim; a quip.
On his way to the gibbet, a freak took him in the head to go off with a conceit.
Some to conceit alone their works confine,And glittering thoughts struck out at every line.
Tasso is full of conceits . . . which are not only below the dignity of heroic verse but contrary to its nature.
Conceit
An overweening idea of one's self; vanity.
Plumed with conceit he calls aloud.
Conceit
Design; pattern.
Conceit
To conceive; to imagine.
The strong, by conceiting themselves weak, are therebly rendered as inactive . . . as if they really were so.
One of two bad ways you must conceit me,Either a coward or a flatterer.
Conceit
To form an idea; to think.
Those whose . . . vulgar apprehensions conceit but low of matrimonial purposes.
Conceit
Feelings of excessive pride
Conceit
The trait of being vain and conceited
Common Curiosities
Can a person be conceited without being egotistic?
Yes, one can have an inflated view of specific abilities or attributes without being broadly self-centered.
Is conceit always negative?
While some degree of self-confidence is healthy, conceit crosses into negative territory by overestimating one's abilities or value.
How does society view conceit and egotism?
Both traits are generally viewed negatively, as they can lead to antisocial behavior and hinder personal relationships.
Can conceit be a defense mechanism?
Yes, for some, conceit can be a way to mask insecurities or vulnerabilities.
What is the main difference between conceit and egotism?
Conceit focuses on excessive pride in specific areas, while egotism involves a pervasive self-centeredness.
How does egotism affect relationships?
Egotism can strain relationships due to a lack of empathy and consideration for others' needs.
Can egotism be mistaken for confidence?
Egotism might initially appear as confidence but is distinguished by a lack of regard for others and selfish behavior.
Can conceit lead to isolation?
Yes, an excessive belief in one's superiority can alienate others and lead to social isolation.
Are there positive aspects of egotism?
While generally viewed negatively, a mild form of egotism might drive ambition and achievement, if balanced with empathy.
How do conceit and egotism manifest in professional settings?
Conceit might show as unwarranted self-assurance in one's skills, while egotism can lead to self-serving decisions at work.
Is it possible to overcome egotism?
With self-awareness and effort, individuals can learn to be more empathetic and less self-centered.
How do conceit and egotism differ in terms of self-awareness?
Conceited individuals might lack self-awareness in specific areas, while egotists often have a broader disregard for how they are perceived.
Can children display conceit or egotism?
Yes, these traits can appear in children but might be mitigated with guidance and positive reinforcement.
Does culture influence the perception of conceit and egotism?
Cultural values can affect how these traits are perceived, with some cultures being more tolerant of self-promotion than others.
Can societal pressures contribute to conceit or egotism?
Yes, societal expectations and norms can exacerbate tendencies toward conceit or egotism, especially in competitive environments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
