What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vain
Example
She spent hours in front of the mirror, admiring her own reflection. [vain: adjective]
Example
He only donated to charity to make himself look good in front of others. [vain: adjective]
Example
The company's attempt to rebrand itself was ultimately a vain effort to save its failing reputation. [vain: adjective]
conceited
Example
He was so conceited that he believed he was the smartest person in the room. [conceited: adjective]
Example
She always had to one-up everyone else in the conversation to prove her own intelligence. [conceited: adjective]
Example
His conceited attitude made it difficult for him to make friends. [conceited: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vain is more commonly used than conceited in everyday language, and it covers a wider range of contexts. Conceited is less common and is typically used in more formal or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vain and conceited?
While both vain and conceited have negative connotations, conceited is generally considered more formal and less frequently used than vain. It is often used in more literary or academic contexts.
