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Definition of conceit noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

conceit

noun
 
/kənˈsiːt/
 
/kənˈsiːt/
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  1. [uncountable] (disapproving) the fact of being too proud of yourself and what you do
    • I can say without conceit that I have talent.
    Topics Personal qualitiesc2
  2. [countable] (formal) an artistic effect or device, especially one that is very clever or tries to be very clever but does not succeed
    • The ill-advised conceit of the guardian angel dooms the film from the start.
    • The director’s brilliant conceit was to film this tale in black and white.
    Topics Literature and writingc2
  3. [countable] (specialist) a clever expression in writing or speech that involves a comparison between two things synonym metaphor
    • The idea of the wind singing is a romantic conceit.
    4. Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘notion’, also ‘quaintly decorative article’): from conceive, on the pattern of pairs such as deceive, deceit.
See conceit in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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Nearby words

aspiration
noun
 
 
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