proud
proud Lexical Profile
proud Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions, or those of someone with whom one is closely associated.
"Her parents were deeply proud when she graduated at the top of her medical school class."
Having or showing a consciousness of one's own dignity, self-respect, and independence.
"Despite facing financial hardship, the proud artisan refused to accept charity and insisted on earning his living."
Having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's own importance, merit, or superiority.
"The proud nobleman looked down upon the villagers and refused to listen to their grievances."
Imposing, magnificent, or splendid in appearance or reputation.
"Tall, proud ships with billowing white sails lined the historic harbor."
Projecting slightly from a surrounding surface rather than being flush.
"The carpenter left the wooden dowels slightly proud of the tabletop before sanding them flush."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Proud' carries two distinct connotations: a positive sense of healthy self-respect and satisfaction in achievements, and a negative sense of excessive self-importance or arrogance. In constructions craftsmanship or woodworking, 'proud' is used predicatively (often with 'of') to mean projecting slightly above a surrounding surface.
• Rhymes for proud
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From late Old English 'prud' (meaning 'valiant, arrogant, or haughty'), borrowed from Old French 'prod' or 'prud' ('valiant, gallant, advantageous'), which ultimately derives from Late Latin 'prode' ('advantageous, profitable'), a back-formation from Latin 'prodesse' ('to be of value or benefit').