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
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 audio/video experts supply the Southwest’s finest collection of world-class components and are proud to feature products designed and manufactured in the United States and Europe. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024 And while the moment may have been a proud one for Chiefs, Brittany admitted that someone in their family had other plans. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 But which of Ohio's celebrities have become proud owners of the coveted award? Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 As a proud Jew for Palestinian freedom, being excluded from a rally against antisemitism was painful. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 The 18-year-old was on the scene and on the catwalk during Paris Fashion Week with his proud papa present to celebrate the moment. Essence, 5 Mar. 2024 In the photo, the proud dad smiled at the camera while holding his newborn son in his arms. Emma Kershaw, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 Scott Talley is a native Detroiter, a proud product of Detroit Public Schools and a lifelong lover of Detroit culture in its diverse forms. Scott Talley, Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proud.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of proud was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near proud

Cite this Entry

“Proud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proud. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

proud

adjective
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

More from Merriam-Webster on proud

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