complacency, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-esteem, self-love,
self-approbation, self-praise, self-glorification, self-laudation,
self-gratulation†, self-applause, self-admiration; amour propre [Fr.];
selfishness &c 943.
airs, affected manner, pretensions, mannerism; egotism; priggism†,
priggishness; coxcombry, gaudery†, vainglory, elation; pride &c 878;
ostentation &c 882; assurance &c 885.
vox et praeterea nihil [Lat.]; cheval de bataille [Fr.].
coxcomb &c 854; Sir Oracle &c 887.
V. be vain &c adj., be vain of; pique oneself &c (pride) 878; lay the
flattering unction to one's soul.
have too high an opinion of oneself, have an overweening opinion
of oneself, have too high an opinion of one's talents; blind oneself as
to one's own merit; not think small beer of oneself, not think vin
ordinaire of oneself [Fr.]; put oneself forward; fish for compliments;
give oneself airs &c (assume) 885; boast &c 884.
render vain &c adj.; inspire with vanity &c n.; inflate, puff up,
turn up, turn one's head.
Adj. vain, vain as a peacock, proud as a peacock; conceited,
overweening, pert, forward; vainglorious, high-flown; ostentatious &c
882; puffed up, inflated, flushed.
self-satisfied, self-confident, self-sufficient, self-flattering,
self-admiring, self-applauding, self-glorious, self-opinionated;
entente &c (wrongheaded) 481; wise in one's own conceit, pragmatical†,
overwise†, pretentious, priggish; egotistic, egotistical; soi-disant &c
(boastful) 884 [Fr.]; arrogant &c 885.
unabashed, unblushing; unconstrained, unceremonious; free and
easy.
Adv. vainly &c adj..
Phr. how we apples swim! [Swift]; prouder than rustling in unpaid-for
silk [Cymbeline].