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 & Antonyms 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 Spanish capital has just wrapped up its 2018 week-long pride celebrations, whose main theme was a call for equality and greater visibility for people with non-binary gender identity. — NBC News, "Transgender Miss Universe contender speaks up for trans kids," 13 July 2018 But the team’s performance seemed to have inspired a greater sense of national pride than usual. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "A Very British Protest," 13 July 2018 Surely the Democratic Party — if only out of institutional pride — would put up a good fight against his reelection. — Adrian Walker, BostonGlobe.com, "The Democrats running for governor must be wondering when the cavalry arrives," 11 July 2018 Jay Cradeur takes pride in his 4.9 driver rating on Uber Technologies Inc.’s five-star scale and the almost 19,000 rides he’s given in the capital of ride sharing, San Francisco. — Bloomberg, Fortune, "Rolling Background Checks at Work Are Becoming a Thing," 11 July 2018 The action reached an audience of 60 million viewers, and facilitated a conversation about why the network hadn’t covered the Stonewall Riots or any of the New York gay pride marches. — Sascha Cohen, Smithsonian, "How Gay Activists Challenged the Politics of Civility," 10 July 2018 Earning his degree continues to be as much of a source of pride as his achievements as a player, if not more. — Michael Osipoff, Post-Tribune, "Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short on youth camp: 'Giving back has always been in my heart'," 9 July 2018 The design caught on and has become an unofficial flag for the city and a marker of hometown pride. — Sarah Hauer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "MilwaukeeHome T-shirt creator leaving the business but that doesn't mean the brand is done," 8 July 2018 The KFC Yum Center is a bold monument to Louisville's civic pride and ambition. — Allison Ross, The Courier-Journal, "How KFC Yum Center became Louisville's billion-dollar baby," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The chance to play for one of America's most storied franchises was appealing to James, who prides himself on knowing the game's history. — Tom Withersap, Anchorage Daily News, "LA-Bron: James agrees to 4-year contract with Lakers," 2 July 2018 Conservative lawmakers pride themselves on slashing government spending, but Democrats complain that public school students, the poor and disabled are suffering as a result. — Catherine Marfin, Houston Chronicle, "Texas budget board asks state agencies to be ready to cut10 percent from future spending," 22 June 2018 This is one of the things Vox Media used to pride itself on. — Recode Staff, Recode, "Full transcript: Vox Editor at Large Ezra Klein on Recode Media," 14 June 2018 At the end of May, Hogg led a sit-in at a supermarket after learning Publix had donated a large chunk of money to a state legislator who prides himself of being pro National Rifle Association. — Charles Rabin, miamiherald, "SWAT swarms home of Parkland student activist after a prank call to police," 5 June 2018 Alas, there are creepy critics out there who pride themselves on distrusting emotion, who think that anybody who creates a work of art is trying to trick them. — Mick Lasalle, San Francisco Chronicle, "Ask Mick LaSalle: ‘Black Panther’ notwithstanding, flashbacks can be a letdown," 17 May 2018 There’s no reason to believe that Irving, who drove the team for much of the regular or Hayward, an efficient, unselfish wing who prides himself on economy, will do anything to stand in the way of what’s been uncovered this spring. — Nathaniel Friedman, GQ, "The Celtics Are The Most Likable Team Left Standing," 11 May 2018 With the Senate in recess last Wednesday, Heitkamp, who prides herself on rarely wearing a coat even in below freezing temperatures, spent the frigid day making and remaking connections, traveling to five events in four towns. — NBC News, "Heidi Heitkamp bets big on small-state politics to save her seat," 8 Apr. 2018 The moody music video points at an edgier direction for Leftover Salmon, who appropriately pride themselves on their genre-spanning discography. — Abby Jones, Billboard, "Leftover Salmon Premieres Video for Folksy New Single 'Southern Belle': Listen," 5 Apr. 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.