proud

adjective \ ˈprau̇d \

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: proud in a Sentence

Definition of proud

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

See proud defined for English-language learners

See proud defined for kids

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 of proud from the Web

Four hundred hours of meticulous work, using Iron Age techniques, resulted in an instrument that would do a Celt proud.

— jonathon keats, Discover Magazine, "Science of Music," 15 June 2018
Against the green and blue and purple and blacks, two white objects stood proud: white iPods in the hands, and the white cords that connected them to the ears.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Apple's Airpods Are an Omen," 12 June 2018
Carnitas El Momo is building on a proud South L.A. tradition Thwack.

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "This L.A. Carnitas Operation Has Turned the Pork Taco Into an Art Form," 8 June 2018
So proud of Hildi and Clinton and Ty, and Joanie too.

— alyssa fiorentino, House Beautiful, "7 Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Trading Spaces," 1 June 2018
Cowboy beans, on the other hand, walk hand-in-hand with barbecue’s ranch-style roots, as does a chili that Texans would be proud to claim, a deep bowl of red packed with meat from across the menu.

— mike sutter, San Antonio Express-News, "Review: Love or something like it at Texas 46 BBQ," 31 May 2018
The proud mom coordinated a photo shoot for May 29 with Pinehurst Photography, the company that photographed her husband's funeral and took her maternity shots.

— amanda jackson, CNN, "A soldier died before meeting his baby, so his Army family welcomed her with open arms," 31 May 2018
Grandfather set the tone Jesse Aranda would be proud, too.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Sparked by their grandfather and taught by their father, Aranda tennis brothers live up to family name," 30 May 2018
So proud to have swimwear that a diverse group of women are able to wear, match their friends and feel incredible.

— blake bakkila, Health.com, "These Models Have Completely Different Bodies—but 3 of Them Are Wearing the Same Size Swimsuit," 14 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of proud

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

proud Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

PROUD Defined for English Language Learners

proud

adjective

Definition of proud for English Language Learners

: very happy and pleased because of something you have done, something you own, someone you know or are related to, etc. : feeling pride
: causing someone to feel very happy and pleased : causing a feeling of pride
: having or showing the attitude of people who think that they are better or more important than others : having or showing too much pride