proud

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adjective \ˈprau̇d\

Definition of proud

1 : feeling or showing pride: such asa : having or displaying excessive self-esteemb : much pleased : exultantc : having proper self-respect
2a : marked by stateliness : magnificentb : 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

Perhaps someone will adapt the story into a tongue-in-cheek horror film that would make the auteur proud.

— erin blakemore, Longreads, "Our Zombies, Ourselves: An Undead Reading List," 20 July 2017
Teen Job Center SIMSBURY — The Simsbury Public Library and Simsbury Main Street Partnership are proud to combine efforts and offer the Teen Job Center, a joint effort designed to match teens looking for work with area businesses looking for help.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 17 July 2017
That's a feat to be proud of not only because Mars is a different planet that is millions of miles away, but also because Mars is a particularly difficult planet to land on.

— eric limer, Popular Mechanics, "Why Mars Is a Perfectly Terrible Planet to Try to Land On," 14 July 2017
A look into the history of the Washington Redskins should lead one to wonder if their backstory is something Washingtonians, football fans and Americans should be proud of.

— kevin gover, Smithsonian, "The Washington Football Team Can Legally Keep Its Racist Name. But It Shouldn’t," 13 July 2017
Attention to detail Mini Cooper has a long, proud history — the first Mini was shipped in 1959 — and like other English carmakers prides itself on craftsmanship.

— charles fleming, Detroit Free Press, "Review: 2017 Mini John Cooper Works Clubman ALL4 is a quaint mini, souped up," 5 July 2017
Trixie Mattel would be proud of that hot pink blush.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Little Boy Does Drag Makeup With His Mom After Watching "RuPaul's Drag Race"," 5 July 2017
Engineer Paterson is especially proud of the muffler valves that transition seamlessly between loud and soft modes without initiating boom or wail.

— don sherman, Car and Driver, "2018 Bentley Continental GT," 5 July 2017
ETP also has been funding veterans for the last six years and is proud to recognize and support those companies that have stepped forward with a veterans training component.

— phil blair, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Get off the couch! There are jobs out there," 3 July 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

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

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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

PROUD Defined for Kids

proud

play

adjective \ˈprau̇d\

Definition of proud for Students

prouder

;

proudest

1 : having great self-respect or dignity He is too proud to beg.
2 : having a feeling of pleasure or satisfaction especially with a person's own achievements or with someone else's achievements : very pleased They were proud of their clever child.
3 : having or showing a feeling of being better than others : haughty