pride

noun

\ ˈprīd

Definition of pride

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the quality or state of being proud: such as

a : inordinate self-esteem : conceit

b : a reasonable or justifiable self-respect

c : delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship parental pride

2 : proud or disdainful behavior or treatment : disdain

3a : ostentatious display

b : highest pitch : prime

4 : a source of pride : the best in a group or class

5 : a company of lions

6 : a showy or impressive group a pride of dancers

pride

verb

prided; priding

Definition of pride (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to indulge (oneself) in pride —now usually used in the phrase pride oneself on to describe taking pride in some ability, quality, etc. She was a girl who prided herself on her carefully blasé and supercilious attitude towards life.— P. G. Wodehouse

Pride

biographical name

\ ˈprīd

Definition of Pride (Entry 3 of 3)

Thomas died 1658 English Parliamentarian commander

Synonyms Vanity vs. Pride More Example Sentences Learn More about pride

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Vanity vs. Pride

People often turn to the dictionary in search of the minute and subtle differences between two similar words. The closely related duo of vanity and pride, which overlap significantly in some respects yet differ in others, offer one such example. Putting aside such uses as pride referring to “a company of lions” and vanity meaning “a dressing table,” each of these words may refer to a state of excessive self-esteem. However, pride may also signify a feeling of satisfaction or happiness (either in oneself or on behalf of others) based on something that is well done; vanity is unlikely to be used in this manner. For a well-worded explanation of this distinction, we might look to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, in which the character Mary opines: “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.”

Examples of pride in a Sentence

Noun

Being able to work again gave him his pride back. Getting caught cheating stripped him of his pride. Pride would not allow her to give up. It's a matter of pride that he does the work all by himself. The novel is about a family consumed with pride and vanity. They needed help, but their pride wouldn't let them ask for it. I had to swallow my pride and admit I made a mistake. He showed a great pride in his family. These young people are the pride of their community.

Verb

he prides himself on the quality of his writing

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The intense pride felt in these moments is one of the things that makes growing up anything but scary. — Jeff Bogle, Good Housekeeping, "14 Reasons Parenting Teenagers Is Better Than You Think It Will Be," 10 Jan. 2019 The pride Kavanaugh takes in his background should do little to dispel the claims against him. — Jennifer Wright, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Benefits of Privilege: Being Rich and White Is Proof You Must Be Good," 5 Oct. 2018 The Cellars-Hohenort Like many of the properties in the residential greenbelt in Constantia, the Cellars-Hohenort is set back from the road—with 10 acres of gardens—the pride and joy of the late Liz McGrath, hotelier and formidable businesswoman. — Jane Broughton, Condé Nast Traveler, "16 Best Hotels in Cape Town," 14 Sep. 2018 But Rakitic believes the pride of representing the smallest country to make the World Cup final in 68 years, with a population of just over four million, will motivate Croatia to create history. — Afp, chicagotribune.com, "Rakitic: Croatia will bring 'excess power and energy' to World Cup final," 13 July 2018 Nothing feels better in life than the pride that comes from hard work and diligence leading to victory. — Asia O'hara, Billboard, "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Top 4: Love Letter to the LGBTQ Community," 15 June 2018 The pride of the late trainer Sir Henry Cecil, Frankel retired to Banstead Manor Stud at Cheveley in Suffolk, part of Prince Khalid bin Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms breeding operation. — Rob Hodgetts, CNN, "The Derby: Saxon Warrior set for '£50M payday' for Epsom Classic win," 31 May 2018 There's also the long-term marketing exposure and the community pride. — Jessica Boehm, azcentral, "NCAA officials to scout Phoenix area for Final Four Tournament," 29 May 2018 My story about yesterday's men's competition led with Ryan Crouser, pride of Barlow High School. — Ken Goe, OregonLive.com, "The Pre Classic was a great show, but be real about attendance Oregon track & field rundown," 27 May 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Toronto has long prided itself as being one of the safest big cities in the world. — Tamara Lush, The Seattle Times, "Police seek clues to gunman’s Toronto rampage," 24 July 2018 Both are married to actors and pride themselves on being very hands-on parents. — Jenny Allen, Good Housekeeping, "Between Friends," 7 July 2010 Immelt knew Alstom had its problems but hoped to show off the management prowess on which GE prided itself. — Thomas Gryta And Ted Mann, WSJ, "GE Powered the American Century—Then It Burned Out," 14 Dec. 2018 Where to Escape Las Vegas prides itself on being one all-inclusive, escapist fantasyland; whatever happens there isn’t meant to follow you home. — Marley Marius, Vogue, "A Guide to Low-Key (But Still Luxe) Las Vegas," 22 Oct. 2018 Barcelona, Spain Barcelona has long prided itself on its culture, and November showcases an excellent sliver of it. — Mark Ellwood, Condé Nast Traveler, "Best Places to Visit in November," 20 Sep. 2018 Well before the Bad Boy Pistons of the late 1980s and early ’90s, the East prided itself on being mean and edgy. — Scott Ostler, San Francisco Chronicle, "Cavaliers have a puncher’s chance in NBA Finals if they get physical," 5 June 2018 Wilderness Safaris’ Linkwasha is the epitome of safari luxury, and it’s in the best game area of the park: warring lion prides, packs of wild dogs, cheetahs, and herds of elephant and buffalo everywhere. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "The Best Places to Travel in 2019," 7 Dec. 2018 Central bankers a generation ago prided themselves on silence and opacity. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "Fed Weighs Wait-and-See Approach on Future Rate Increases," 6 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pride.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.