swellhead
Definition
Noun: A conceited and self-centered person; someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves and is overly proud.
Usage
The word "swellhead" is a somewhat informal and critical term used to describe a person whose arrogance or vanity is obvious and often irritating. It suggests that the person's ego has "swollen" or become inflated.
Examples
- After winning the award, he became a real swellhead and wouldn't listen to anyone else's ideas.
- Don't be such a swellhead; you're not the only one who contributed to the project's success.
- Her constant boasting about her wealth revealed her to be a bit of a swellhead.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes be used in a more humorous or less harshly critical way, though it always carries a negative connotation.
- Oh, don't mind his bragging; he's just being a bit of a swellhead today.
Variants and Related Words
- Swellheaded (adjective): Having the characteristics of a swellhead; conceited.
- His swellheaded attitude made him very unpopular with the team.
Synonyms
- Egotist
- Braggart
- Narcissist
- Egomaniac
- Arrogant person
Idioms and Related Phrases
- To have a swelled head: This is a common idiom with the same meaning as being a "swellhead." It describes someone who has become conceited, often due to success or praise.
- All that fame has given him a swelled head.
Noun
-
a conceited and self-centered person
