pride

noun

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\ 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 Those who participated looked back with pride at having made legal history. — NBC News, "Dutch couples mark 20th anniversary of world's first same-sex marriages," 1 Apr. 2021 Kraeszig beamed with pride after the match and hopes that the sight of him running the table inspires his returning wrestlers to work that much harder in the offseason. — Jonathan Saxon, The Courier-Journal, "St. Xavier's Matthew Meyer wins 113-pound title at KHSAA state wrestling tournament," 28 Mar. 2021 Some of the parents these days are former players who now have daughters playing for their former coach, which fills Fisher’s heart with great pride. — J.c. Carnahan, orlandosentinel.com, "Lake Mary softball coach Jeannie Fisher closes in on 500 wins with Rams," 22 Mar. 2021 Watching his friend cradle the America East trophy on ESPN, Wilson was filled with pride for his friend and former MU teammate from all those years ago. — Ben Steele, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Traci Carter started at Marquette in 2015. Six years later, he's in the NCAA Tournament.," 19 Mar. 2021 In December, the school won its first state football championship, and the community has been brimming with pride ever since. — al, "In West Alabama, ‘skepticism’ turns into ‘optimism’ for a new U.S. 43," 13 Mar. 2021 On Sunday, Portland guard Anfernee Simons became the first Blazers player ever to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and in the process caused Stotts and Anthony to beam with pride. — oregonlive, "Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns: Game preview, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online," 11 Mar. 2021 In the past, the Diamondbacks had spoken with pride about how their players and staff have managed to be careful when away from the ballpark. — Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, "Arizona Diamondbacks’ Tim Locastro out after testing positive for COVID-19," 4 Mar. 2021 Maahra Hill is terrific as the title character, going up against corporate America with the kind of determination and fashion sense that would make Erin Brockovich beam with pride. — Star Tribune, "10 best things our critics are watching this week," 4 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Huskies pride themselves on those two areas of the game and led the Big East in multiple defense and rebounding categories. — Shawn Mcfarland, courant.com, "A look at UConn and Hartford men’s first-round NCAA Tournament games, regions and biggest questions," 14 Mar. 2021 Texas is also home to business titans who pride themselves on doing things differently— just like people with disabilities do. — Denise Brodey, Forbes, "The Huge Cost Of Ignoring Disabled People’s Sophisticated Understanding Of Disaster Planning," 3 Mar. 2021 Minnesotans pride ourselves on our kindness and compassion. — Star Tribune, "Anti-trans legislation is inhumane," 16 Mar. 2021 The Longs pride themselves on only creating wines with fruit from the best vineyards. — Dallas News, "Central Market adds 8 new wines from Black-owned wineries and Black winemakers," 23 Feb. 2021 This difference is part of its appeal: while Starbucks has a high-brow vibe that explicitly targets affluent customers, Dunkin’ fans often pride themselves on being part of a working class community with straightforward needs and unfussy taste. — Angela Lashbrook, refinery29.com, "Gotta Have My Dunkies: Meet Fast Food’s Friendliest Fandom," 11 Feb. 2021 But coach Monty Williams told reporters that the Suns pride themselves in their defense. — oregonlive, "Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns: Game preview, time, TV channel, how to watch free live stream online," 22 Feb. 2021 My mind drifts from outrage to pride and back again. — Los Angeles Times, "A Black reporter’s road trip to the inauguration — and a search for America’s ‘soul’," 7 Feb. 2021 Nurses pride themselves on their relationships with families. — Jeannie Roberts, Arkansas Online, "Covid-war caregivers' scars going uncounted," 18 Jan. 2021

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.