Pride vs. Conceited — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 1, 2024
Pride refers to a deep satisfaction derived from one's own achievements or qualities, whereas conceitedness involves an excessive appreciation of oneself, often disregarding others.
Difference Between Pride and Conceited
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Pride is a feeling of self-respect and personal worth, often linked to genuine accomplishments or positive qualities of an individual. This emotion can be motivational and healthy. On the other hand, conceitedness is characterized by an inflated self-image and an exaggerated sense of superiority, which can alienate others.
While pride can be a positive and communal feeling, shared with others in moments of collective achievement, conceitedness tends to be isolating, focusing solely on oneself often to the detriment of interpersonal relationships.
Pride generally involves a realistic and appreciative view of one's own abilities and successes without belittling others. Conversely, a conceited person not only overvalues their own capabilities but also may underestimate or devalue those of others.
Individuals who feel pride may also acknowledge their limitations and seek improvement, showing a balanced perspective on their abilities and achievements. Whereas, those who are conceited might resist acknowledging their faults or failures, often blaming external factors for any setbacks.
In social contexts, pride can enhance a person's reputation and encourage respect among peers due to its association with hard-earned success. In contrast, conceited behavior can lead to resentment and a lack of genuine social connections, as it often comes off as arrogant or haughty.
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Comparison Chart
Basis
Real achievements, qualities
Exaggerated self-view, abilities
Impact on Relationships
Positive, communal
Isolating, often negative
Self-awareness
High, acknowledges faults
Low, overlooks personal faults
Emotional Tone
Respectful, uplifting
Arrogant, dismissive
Social Perception
Admirable, motivating
Off-putting, leads to resentment
Compare with Definitions
Pride
A feeling of satisfaction from one's own achievements.
He felt a deep sense of pride after helping his team win the championship.
Conceited
Perceived negatively in social settings.
The conceited guest quickly became unpopular at the party.
Pride
Encourages respect and admiration.
Her pride in her cultural heritage inspired others to learn more about their own roots.
Conceited
Often leads to social isolation due to arrogance.
Her conceited attitude at work alienated her colleagues.
Pride
Reflects self-respect and confidence.
Her pride in her work ensured she always delivered the best.
Conceited
Lacks genuine acknowledgment of faults.
Even when clearly wrong, his conceited demeanor wouldn’t allow him to apologize.
Pride
Communal and inclusive of others’ success.
They took pride in their community's collective effort to rebuild the park.
Conceited
Exhibits an excessive belief in one's own abilities.
His conceited nature made him underestimate the challenge.
Pride
Balanced and aware of personal limitations.
Despite his pride in his achievements, he knew he had room to grow.
Conceited
Detracts from genuine interpersonal connections.
His conceited approach to conversations left little room for others to speak.
Pride
Pride is positive emotional response or attitude to something with an intimate connection to oneself, due to its perceived value. Oxford defines it amongst other things as "the quality of having an excessively high opinion of oneself or one's own importance" This may be related to one's own abilities or achievements, positive characteristics of friends or family, or one's country.
Conceited
Excessively proud of oneself; vain
Fred's so conceited he'd never believe anyone would refuse him
Pride
A sense of one's own proper dignity or value; self-respect.
Conceited
Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of oneself; vain.
Pride
Pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association
Parental pride.
Conceited
Having an excessively favourable opinion of one's abilities, appearance, etc.; egotistical and vain.
Pride
Arrogant or disdainful conduct or treatment; haughtiness.
Conceited
Having an ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.
Pride
A cause or source of pleasure or satisfaction; the best of a group or class
These soldiers were their country's pride.
Conceited
(obsolete) Endowed with fancy or imagination.
Pride
The most successful or thriving condition; prime
The pride of youth.
Conceited
(obsolete) Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.
Pride
An excessively high opinion of oneself; conceit.
Conceited
Simple past tense and past participle of conceit
Pride
Mettle or spirit in horses.
Conceited
Endowed with fancy or imagination.
He was . . . pleasantly conceited, and sharp of wit.
Pride
A flamboyant or impressive group
A pride of acrobats.
Conceited
Entertaining a flattering opinion of one's self; vain.
If you think me too conceitedOr to passion quickly heated.
Conceited of their own wit, science, and politeness.
Pride
To indulge (oneself) in a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction
I pride myself on this beautiful garden.
Conceited
Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.
A conceited chair to sleep in.
Pride
The quality or state of being proud; an unreasonable overestimation of one's own superiority in terms of talents, looks, wealth, importance etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve and often contempt of others.
Conceited
Characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance;
A conceited fool
An attitude of self-conceited arrogance
An egotistical disregard of others
So swollen by victory that he was unfit for normal duty
Growing ever more swollen-headed and arbitrary
Vain about her clothes
Pride
A sense of one's own worth, and scorn for what is beneath or unworthy of oneself; lofty self-respect; noble self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; rejection of shame
He took pride in his work.
He had pride of ownership in his department.
Pride
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation.
Pride
That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-congratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children, etc.
Pride
Show; ostentation; glory.
Pride
Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory.
Pride
Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness.
Pride
(zoology) The small European lamprey species Petromyzon branchialis.
Pride
(reflexive) To take or experience pride in something; to be proud of it.
I pride myself on being a good judge of character.
Pride
A small European lamprey (Petromyzon branchialis); - called also prid, and sandpiper.
Pride
The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.
Those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt.
Pride
A sense of one's own worth, and abhorrence of what is beneath or unworthy of one; lofty self-respect; noble self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; proud delight; - in a good sense.
Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride.
A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.
Pride
Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain.
Let not the foot of pride come against me.
That hardly we escaped the pride of France.
Pride
That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-gratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children, etc.
Lofty trees yclad with summer's pride.
I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
A bold peasantry, their country's pride.
Pride
Show; ostentation; glory.
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.
Pride
Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory; as, to be in the pride of one's life.
A falcon, towering in her pride of place.
Pride
To indulge in pride, or self-esteem; to rate highly; to plume; - used reflexively.
Pluming and priding himself in all his services.
Pride
To be proud; to glory.
Pride
A feeling of self-respect and personal worth
Pride
Satisfaction with your (or another's) achievements;
He takes pride in his son's success
Pride
The trait of being spurred on by a dislike of falling below your standards
Pride
A group of lions
Pride
Unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem (personified as one of the deadly sins)
Pride
Be proud of;
He prides himself on making it into law school
Common Curiosities
Can pride turn into conceitedness?
Yes, pride can evolve into conceitedness if one loses perspective and begins to overvalue their own importance excessively.
How does pride affect one's professional life?
In a professional setting, pride can lead to greater motivation, respect, and productivity as it's based on real achievements and capabilities.
How can one maintain pride without becoming conceited?
Maintaining a balanced view of one's abilities, acknowledging faults, and appreciating others' contributions can help keep pride healthy and prevent it from becoming conceitedness.
What is the main difference between pride and conceitedness?
The main difference is that pride is a healthy sense of self-worth linked to real achievements, while conceitedness is an excessive and often unfounded self-admiration.
Why is being conceited viewed negatively?
Being conceited is viewed negatively because it often involves disrespecting or undervaluing others, leading to poor interpersonal relationships.
How can individuals recognize if they are becoming conceited?
Recognizing excessive self-focus, lack of empathy, and an inability to accept criticism are signs that one might be becoming conceited.
Is it okay to feel pride in others' achievements?
Absolutely, feeling pride in others' achievements is a positive and empathetic response that strengthens communal bonds.
What steps can be taken to cultivate a healthy sense of pride?
Focusing on real achievements, setting realistic goals, and maintaining humility can cultivate a healthy sense of pride.
Does culture influence the perception of pride and conceitedness?
Yes, cultural values play a significant role in how pride and conceitedness are perceived, with some cultures valuing modesty more than others.
What are the social repercussions of conceited behavior?
Conceited behavior can lead to social isolation, lack of genuine friendships, and a general dislike among peers due to perceived arrogance.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.