proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d 

1

: feeling or showing pride: such as

a

: having or displaying excessive self-esteem

b

: much pleased : exultant

c

: having proper self-respect

2

a

: marked by stateliness : magnificent

b

: giving reason for pride : glorious

the proudest moment in her life

3

: vigorous, spirited

a proud steed

4

chiefly British : raised above a surrounding area

a proud design on a stamp

proudly adverb

Synonyms

• disdainful
• haughty
• highfalutin
• hifalutin
• lofty
• lordly
• prideful
• superior

Choose the Right Synonym for proud

proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors.

proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

Examples of proud in a Sentence

They are the proud parents of a hero.

I was proud that I never gave in.

She's the proud owner of a new car.

Her proudest accomplishment was to finish school.

He has a proud manner.

a proud and opinionated person

She's too proud to accept their charity.

Recent Examples on the Web

The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times. —Chloe Mayer shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025

At Ferrara, which has a long, proud history of making candy in Chicago, the business outlook is still positive, according to Greg Guidotti, chief marketing officer. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025

They were thanked for coming by loyal Canadians, clearly proud of their head of state. —Simon Perry, People.com, 27 May 2025

Holly understands and is proud of who her daughter has grown up to be. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 26 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English prūd, probably from Old French prod, prud, prou advantageous, just, wise, bold, from Late Latin prode advantage, advantageous, back-formation from Latin prodesse to be advantageous, from pro-, prod- for, in favor + esse to be — more at pro-, is

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing proud

• do proud
• house-proud
• proud flesh
• purse-proud

Rhymes for proud

• bowed
• browed
• cloud
• coude
• cowed
• crowd
• dowd
• loud
• ploughed
• plowed
• shroud
• sowed

Kids Definition

proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d 

1

a

: having or displaying excessive self-esteem

a proud manner

b

: much pleased

proud parents of a hero

c

: having proper self-respect

too proud to beg

2

: magnificent sense 1, glorious

a proud record

3

: vigorous sense 1, spirited

a proud horse

proudly adverb