Conceit, egotism, egoism, self-esteem, self-love, amour propre mean an attitude of regarding oneself with favor.
Conceit implies a conviction of superiority in one or more lines of achievement or an overweeningly favorable opinion of one’s powers or accomplishments. It often connotes a failure to see oneself truly or an offensive, bumptious manner.
Egotism stresses the tendency to attract attention to and center interest on oneself, one’s thoughts, and one’s achievements. The word sometimes implies contempt for but more often an overriding of or disregard for others’ interests or opinions.
Egoism emphasizes concentration on oneself, one’s interests, and one’s needs. It seldom suggests a tendency to display oneself or to attract attention to oneself, but it commonly implies self-interest, especially as opposed to altruism or interest in others, as the inner spring of one’s acts or as the measure by which all things are judged.
Self-esteem implies a proper and balanced pride in oneself.
Self-love usually implies an abnormal regard for oneself that excludes or overshadows all other interests or affections.
On the other hand it occasionally designates that degree of love for oneself or interest in one’s well-being which is the proper and necessary complement of one’s love for others.
Amour propre comes closer to self-esteem, for it stresses pride, usually pardonable pride, in oneself. It is therefore used when the idea of sensitiveness to others’ opinions is indicated.