Ask Difference

Conceited vs. Vain — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 6, 2024
Conceited describes someone overly proud of themselves, focusing on their abilities or intelligence, while vain refers to excessive pride in one’s appearance.
Conceited vs. Vain — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Conceited and Vain

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Key Differences

Conceited individuals exhibit an inflated sense of their abilities or intelligence, often believing they are superior to others in these aspects. Whereas, vain people are primarily preoccupied with their physical appearance, striving for admiration based on looks.
Being conceited involves a broader scope of self-admiration, potentially encompassing one's intellect, talents, and achievements. In contrast, vanity is more narrowly focused on physical attractiveness, often leading to an excessive concern with outward appearance.
The social implications of being conceited can include alienation due to perceived arrogance or self-importance in various spheres of life, including professional and personal relationships. On the other hand, vanity might lead to an obsession with physical beauty, potentially neglecting other important personal attributes or qualities.
Conceited behavior may manifest in a dismissive attitude towards others' opinions or achievements, highlighting a self-perceived intellectual or skill-based superiority. Vain individuals, however, are more likely to seek constant reassurance or admiration for their looks, possibly engaging in extensive grooming rituals or seeking cosmetic enhancements.
The criticism of someone as conceited often points to a lack of humility and an overestimation of one’s own worth in a broad sense. Criticism of vanity, however, focuses on superficiality and the prioritization of appearance over substance.
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Comparison Chart

Focus

Abilities, intelligence
Physical appearance

Scope

Broad, may include various personal attributes
Narrow, primarily concerned with looks

Social Implications

Alienation due to perceived arrogance
Obsession with beauty, possible neglect of inner qualities

Manifestation

Dismissive of others, self-important
Seeks admiration for looks, extensive grooming

Criticism

Lack of humility, overestimation of self-worth
Superficiality, prioritizing appearance over substance

Compare with Definitions

Conceited

Self-Admiration.
He is so conceited that he believes he's the smartest person in every room.

Vain

Physical Appearance.
She spends hours in front of the mirror, driven by vanity.

Conceited

Arrogance.
Her conceited attitude often alienates her colleagues.

Vain

Admiration Seeking.
His vain nature craves constant compliments on his looks.

Conceited

Intellectual Superiority.
Her conceited nature makes her dismiss the ideas of others quickly.

Vain

Grooming Rituals.
Her vanity is evident in her extensive morning grooming ritual.

Conceited

Achievements.
His conceited talk about his achievements leaves little room for anyone else's contributions.

Vain

Cosmetic Enhancements.
His vanity led him to undergo several cosmetic surgeries.

Conceited

Self-Importance.
He's conceited enough to think that every project needs his input to succeed.

Vain

Superficial Concerns.
Her conversation often reveals a vain preoccupation with fashion and trends.

Conceited

Excessively proud of oneself; vain
Fred's so conceited he'd never believe anyone would refuse him

Vain

Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities, or worth
A vain woman with a streak of snobbery
Their flattery made him vain

Conceited

Holding or characterized by an unduly high opinion of oneself; vain.

Vain

Producing no result; useless
A vain attempt to tidy up the room
The vain hope of finding work

Conceited

Having an excessively favourable opinion of one's abilities, appearance, etc.; egotistical and vain.

Vain

Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless
A vain attempt.

Conceited

Having an ingenious expression or metaphorical idea, especially in extended form or used as a literary or rhetorical device.

Vain

Lacking substance or worth
Vain talk.

Conceited

(obsolete) Endowed with fancy or imagination.

Vain

Having or showing excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.

Conceited

(obsolete) Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.

Vain

(Archaic) Foolish.

Conceited

Simple past tense and past participle of conceit

Vain

Overly proud of oneself, especially concerning appearance; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason.

Conceited

Endowed with fancy or imagination.
He was . . . pleasantly conceited, and sharp of wit.

Vain

Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.

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.

Vain

Effecting no purpose; pointless, futile.
Vain toil
A vain attempt

Conceited

Curiously contrived or designed; fanciful.
A conceited chair to sleep in.

Vain

Showy; ostentatious.

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

Vain

Having no real substance, value, or importance; empty; void; worthless; unsatisfying.
Every man walketh in a vain show.
Let no man deceive you with vain words.
Vain pomp, and glory of this world, I hate ye!
Vain wisdom all, and false philosophy.

Vain

Destitute of force or efficacy; effecting no purpose; fruitless; ineffectual; as, vain toil; a vain attempt.
Bring no more vain oblations.
Vain is the force of manTo crush the pillars which the pile sustain.

Vain

Proud of petty things, or of trifling attainments; having a high opinion of one's own accomplishments with slight reason; conceited; puffed up; inflated.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren?
The minstrels played on every side,Vain of their art.

Vain

Showy; ostentatious.
Load some vain church with old theatric state.

Vain

Vanity; emptiness; - now used only in the phrase in vain.

Vain

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

Vain

Unproductive of success;
A fruitless search
Futile years after her artistic peak
A sleeveless errand
A vain attempt

Common Curiosities

Can a person be both conceited and vain?

Yes, it's possible for someone to be both conceited and vain, exhibiting excessive pride in their abilities and appearance.

What leads someone to be conceited?

Conceitedness often stems from an overestimation of one’s abilities or achievements.

Is vanity only related to physical looks?

While primarily related to looks, vanity can also extend to an obsession with one's public image or social status.

How do people typically react to conceited individuals?

People may react negatively to conceited individuals, perceiving them as arrogant or self-absorbed.

How does conceited behavior manifest in professional settings?

In professional settings, conceited behavior may manifest as disregarding colleagues' ideas or overly promoting one's own contributions.

Can conceitedness be a defense mechanism?

Yes, for some, conceitedness may serve as a defense mechanism to mask insecurities or vulnerabilities.

Can vanity affect one's relationships?

Yes, vanity can strain relationships if one prioritizes appearance excessively, overshadowing deeper connections.

How can vanity influence one’s lifestyle?

Vanity can influence lifestyle choices, prioritizing activities, and expenditures that enhance or maintain physical appearance.

Is there a positive aspect to being conceited or vain?

While generally viewed negatively, a moderate amount of self-esteem associated with these traits can motivate self-improvement.

How do societal norms influence vanity?

Societal norms and media can greatly influence vanity by setting often unrealistic standards for beauty and appearance.

What are the social implications of vanity?

Vanity can lead to superficial interactions and a focus on appearance that neglects the importance of inner qualities in social settings.

How can one manage conceited behavior?

Managing conceited behavior involves self-reflection, developing empathy, and valuing others' contributions and worth.

Can vanity lead to health issues?

Yes, extreme vanity can lead to mental health issues like anxiety or physical health risks associated with cosmetic procedures.

Why do some find vanity attractive?

Some may find vanity attractive if they equate care for appearance with self-respect or a sign of success.

How can societal pressure amplify conceited or vain behavior?

Societal pressure can amplify these behaviors by rewarding and valuing external success and beauty, often at the expense of deeper qualities.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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
Maham Liaqat

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