self-important

adjective

self-im·​por·​tant ˌself-im-ˈpȯr-tᵊnt How to pronounce self-important (audio)
-tənt
: having or showing self-importance
self-importantly adverb

Examples of self-important in a Sentence

a self-important businessman who believed his schedule mattered more than anyone else's
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The self-important Brackman often was the butt of his colleagues’ jokes. Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Nov. 2024 Balmy does prove to be slightly sinister and fully absurd, in the way of self-important cult leaders everywhere, and Le Moulin even more so. Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 The former excels at playing the earthy, sly, seductive trickster, the latter, the pompous, self-important rich boy. Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2024 What about Miami would attract a phony, conniving, self-important, billionaire pedophile? Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 10 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-important 

Word History

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-important was in 1732

Dictionary Entries Near self-important

Cite this Entry

“Self-important.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-important. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!