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Definition of supercilious

supercilious

/ˌsuː.pɚˈsɪl.i.əs/
su · per · cil · i · ous
Adverb:superciliously
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supercilious Lexical Profile

supercilious Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others; haughtily disdainful or contemptuous.

Example

"The critic dismissed the young artist's debut exhibition with a supercilious smile."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for supercilious

• Rhymes for supercilious

• Nearby Words

supercharged
supercharger
supercheap
supercilious
superclean
superclub
supercold

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Latin 'superciliosus' (haughty, disdainful), derived from 'supercilium' (eyebrow, haughtiness), a compound of 'super-' (above) and 'cilium' (eyelid), alluding to the habit of raising one's eyebrows in arrogant disdain.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Supercilious. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/supercilious
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