Definition of pompous
2 : having or exhibiting self-importance : arrogant <a pompous politician>
3 : relating to or suggestive of pomp or splendor : magnificent
pompously
adverbpompousness
nounExamples of pompous in a sentence
So as the pictures of flooded shanties flicker by on cable news, uptight neatnik Midwestern Lutherans and sensitive northeastern urban sophisticates and pompous media grandees on both coasts express shock at the unexpected squalor of the poverty and bafflement over the slovenly corruption of the civic institutions. —Rob Long, National Review, 26 Sept. 2005
President Warren Harding was an orator, but his bloviations were an army of pompous phrases moving across the landscape in search of an idea. —Harold Evans, New York Times Book Review, 11 Nov. 2001
She never allowed her spirit to become, as, say, Henry Adams did, curdled by long exposure to Washington's tawdry and pompous aspects. —George F. Will, Newsweek, 24 May 1999
She found it difficult to talk about her achievements without sounding pompous.
<the pompous waiter served us in the manner of a person doing some poor soul a great favor>
Origin and Etymology of pompous
(see pomp)
First Known Use: 15th century
POMPOUS Defined for English Language Learners
pompous
playDefinition of pompous for English Language Learners
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: having or showing the attitude of people who speak and behave in a very formal and serious way because they believe that they are better, smarter, or more important than other people
POMPOUS Defined for Kids
pompous
playDefinition of pompous for Students
: having or showing an attitude of someone who thinks he or she is better than other people <a pompous person> <a pompous manner>
pompously
adverbLearn More about pompous
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pompous Spanish Central: Translation of pompous Nglish: Translation of pompous for Spanish speakers
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