proud

adjective

ˈprau̇d How to pronounce proud (audio)
Synonyms 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 also:
do proud

Synonyms of proud

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bezos spent a lot of effort, and magnitudes of capital, building a proud, sleek, global machine for frictionless selling. — Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026 Without principle, without a moral compass, with no checks and balances, our would-be-dictator is an embarrassing stain on the soul of a once-proud America. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 Coming in 2030 will be a proud fusion of iconic Kansas City brands and institutions, enabled by a partnership with Hallmark that starts with razing its headquarters to accommodate the stadium district footprint. — Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026 The poor, sweet, innocent angel of a chef, who was so proud to be able to share his menu with his world leader guests, only for Grace to stalk away mid-recitation? — Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for proud

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of proud was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing proud

Rhymes for proud

See All Rhymes for proud

Browse Nearby Words

protype
proud
proud flesh
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Cite this Entry

“Proud.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proud. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

proud

adjective
ˈprau̇d How to pronounce proud (audio)
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
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