conceit Definition
- 1excessive pride in oneself
- 2a fanciful or elaborate metaphor or literary device, especially an extended analogy
Using conceit: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "conceit" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
His conceit was evident in the way he talked about his achievements.
Example
The poem is full of conceits and metaphors.
Example
The writer's use of conceit adds depth to the story.
conceit Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using conceit
have the conceit of
to have an exaggerated opinion of oneself or one's abilities
Example
He has the conceit of being a great artist, but his work is mediocre at best.
conceit of the century
a belief or idea that is widely held to be true or important, but is later proven to be false or misguided
Example
At the time, many believed that the internet would be the conceit of the century, but it has since become an integral part of modern life.
conceit of the moment
a fleeting or temporary idea or belief
Example
Her decision to quit her job was just a conceit of the moment; she regretted it soon after.
Phrases with conceit
conceit of the mind
an intellectual or mental construct that is often fanciful or unrealistic
Example
The philosopher's conceit of the mind as a machine has been influential in cognitive science.
metaphysical conceit
an extended metaphor with a complex logic that governs a poetic passage or entire poem
Example
John Donne's 'A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning' is an example of a metaphysical conceit.
conceit of the eye
an optical illusion or trick of perception
Example
The mirage in the desert is a common conceit of the eye.
Origins of conceit
from Latin 'conceptus', meaning 'a thought'
Summary: conceit in Brief
The term 'conceit' [kənˈsiːt] refers to excessive pride in oneself, or a fanciful or elaborate metaphor or literary device. It can be used to describe intellectual constructs, such as the philosopher's conceit of the mind, or optical illusions, like the conceit of the eye. The term also extends into idioms like 'have the conceit of,' denoting an exaggerated opinion of oneself, and 'conceit of the century,' referring to a belief or idea that is later proven to be false.
