proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d 

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

Synonyms of proud

• arrogant
• superior
• smug
• disdainful
• prideful
• haughty
• cavalier
• confident

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

Berries are packed with antioxidants, fiber and vitamin C, so his healthy eating habits should put me, the proud grandmother, in a happy place, right? —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 9 June 2026

Colombia of 1994 is not Colombia of 2026, a safer country, a happier country, a more united country, a prouder country. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

The quality of your trip can set a tone for the next part of your day and can shift the experience of commuting to something of which to be proud in our city. —Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Most Americans are still proud of their country—although the percentage has been declining with each successive generation, and the decline is particularly steep among young progressives. —Yoni Appelbaum, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

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

Phrases Containing proud

• do proud
• house-proud
• proud flesh
• purse-proud

Rhymes for proud

• bowed
• browed
• cloud
• cowed
• crowd
• dowd
• loud
• ploughed
• plowed
• shroud
• sowed
• stroud

Kids Definition

proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d 

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