Definition

Noun An excessively high opinion of one's own importance, abilities, or value; an inflated sense of self-worth, often leading to arrogant behavior. It is an informal, often disapproving term.

Usage

The term "swelled head" is used to describe a state of conceit or arrogance in a person. It suggests that a person's ego has become inflated, like a swelling, due to success, praise, or a mistaken belief in their superiority. It is typically used in a critical or cautionary context.

Examples

• After winning the award, he got a swelled head and started ignoring his old friends.
• Don't let all that praise give you a swelled head; stay humble.
• Her swelled head made her very difficult to work with on the team project.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used with verbs like "get," "have," or "give (someone)."
  • To get/have a swelled head: To become or be arrogant.
  • To give someone a swelled head: To cause someone to become arrogant, usually through excessive praise.

Variants and Related Words

• Swollen head: A less common but synonymous variant.
• Swollen-headed (adjective): Having a swelled head; conceited.
  • Example: He became quite swollen-headed after his promotion.

Synonyms

• Conceit: Excessive pride in oneself.
• Egotism: The practice of talking and thinking about oneself excessively.
• Arrogance: Having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.
• Vanity: Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.
• Bigheadedness (informal): A very close synonym in tone and meaning.

Idioms and Related Phrases

• To have a big head: An idiom with an identical meaning to "have a swelled head."
  • Example: All that media attention has given her a big head.
• To be full of oneself: To be very self-centered or conceited.
  • Example: Ever since he got the lead role, he's been completely full of himself.

Noun

1. an exaggerated opinion of your own importance