proud

play

adjective \ ˈprau̇d \

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

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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

The proud mom is two-year-old P-53 and the suspected pops is local lion lothario P-12, who crossed into the Santa Monica Mountains from the north and who brought a new set of genes to a population seriously lacking in genetic diversity.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Two Precious Mountain Lion Kittens Have Been Found in the Santa Monica Mountains," 29 Aug. 2017
The yearly event consistently brings out throngs of incredibly stylish people, many of whom are proud to wear their heritage on their sleeves — or even, painted on their bodies.

— Allure, "28 of the Best Street Style Looks We Saw at Afropunk," 28 Aug. 2017
Trump has been a divisive force from the very start of his campaign for president, a proud disruptor of the political status quo.

— dan balz, chicagotribune.com, "Trump's pardon of controversial Arizona ex-sheriff Arpaio fits a pattern: A divider not a uniter," 26 Aug. 2017
My friends and family are thankful and proud of me.

— geoffrey c. arnold, OregonLive.com, "Ex-NFL star Michael Vick joins Fox Sports as analyst," 25 Aug. 2017
Though its history is long and proud, few people in Canada—let alone outside of the country—know about Prince Edward County (PEC), Ontario.

— karen burshtein, Vogue, "Get To Know Prince Edward County, Ontario—The Hudson Valley of Canada," 23 Aug. 2017
The interior stands to see an even more comprehensive makeover, including, for the first time in a Nissan, a trendy tablet-style infotainment screen standing proud of the dash.

— tony markovich, Car and Driver, "2019 Nissan Altima Spied, Previews Big Overhaul," 16 Aug. 2017
At yesterday's graduation, the history major milled around with other students before the ceremonies, chatting on her cell phone while waving wildly up to her proud parents, who blew kisses to her from the stands.

— sam dangremond, Town & Country, "Everything We Know About Malia Obama's Classmates at Harvard," 15 Aug. 2017
Mrs. Snee was extremely proud of her five children and 19 grandchildren (at the time), and in 1992, Mrs. Snee retired to spend more time with her grandchildren.

— The Aegis, "Snees inducted into Harford Educator Hall of Fame," 11 Aug. 2017

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

See Words from the same year

proud Synonyms

Synonyms

disdainful, haughty, highfalutin (also hifalutin), lofty, lordly, prideful, superior

Antonyms

humble, lowly, modest

Near Antonyms

demure, homely, meek, unassuming, unpretending, unpretentious; bashful, retiring, shy, timid; diffident, self-doubting; acquiescent, compliant, deferential, ingratiating, resigned, submissive, unassertive, yielding; apologetic, cowering, cringing, shrinking; passive, quiet, reserved, subdued, unobtrusive

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

play

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