Arrogant: meaning, definitions and examples

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arrogant

[ˈær.ə.ɡənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

behavior

Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

Synonyms

cocky, conceited, haughty, proud.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
arrogant	Use this word when someone has an inflated sense of their own importance and looks down on others. This word carries a negative connotation. He was so arrogant, always acting like he was better than everyone else. Her arrogant attitude made it difficult for her to make friends.
conceited	Use this word when someone is excessively proud of themselves or their abilities. It generally has a negative connotation. She is so conceited; she can't stop talking about how great she is. Being conceited often makes it hard for others to appreciate your true talents.
proud	This word can have a positive or negative connotation depending on the context. It signifies a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions, or those of someone with whom one is closely associated. She was proud of her son's achievements. He became too proud, thinking he could do no wrong, and it led to his downfall.
haughty	This word is best used when someone is disdainfully proud and shows an attitude of superiority and contempt. It also carries a negative connotation. Her haughty manner made everyone feel uncomfortable. The judge's haughty tone suggested he felt superior to the defendant.
cocky	This word describes someone who is overly confident in a slightly annoying or disrespectful way. It usually has a negative connotation. His cocky comments during the meeting offended many of his colleagues. Despite his cocky demeanor, he failed to impress the judges.

Examples of usage

He was arrogant and conceited, and always thought he was better than everyone else.
She had an arrogant attitude that made it difficult for others to work with her.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

Marked by or arising from a feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others.

Synonyms

egotistical, smug, snobbish, superior.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
arrogant	Used to describe someone who has an exaggerated sense of their own importance or abilities. He is so arrogant that he thinks he is better than everyone else. Her arrogant attitude makes it hard for people to work with her.
superior	Indicates a person who believes they are better than others in some way, often used in a negative sense. He has a superior attitude that makes others feel small. People find her hard to approach because she always acts so superior.
snobbish	Describes someone who behaves as if they are superior to others, often looking down on people. He stopped going to that club because it was full of snobbish people. Her snobbish remark offended everyone at the party.
smug	Used to describe someone who is overly pleased with themselves in an annoying way. She had a smug smile on her face after winning the argument. His smug attitude makes him very unpopular.
egotistical	Refers to someone who is excessively self-centered or self-important. He's too egotistical to consider other people's opinions. Her egotistical nature alienates her from her peers.

Examples of usage

His arrogant smile irritated everyone in the room.
The arrogant look on her face showed her lack of humility.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'arrogans', meaning 'assuming' or 'presumptuous', reflecting the attitude of taking more than one deserves.
It was adopted into Middle French as 'arrogant' before entering English in the late 16th century.
Initially used to describe an overreaching attitude, its meaning has evolved to emphasize pride or disdain in modern usage.

Psychology

Studies suggest that people who display arrogance may have deeper insecurities, using a facade of superiority to mask their vulnerabilities.
Arrogance can create barriers in relationships, as it often leads to conflicts and misunderstandings.
Research shows that arrogance is often correlated with a lack of empathy, making it hard for individuals to connect with others emotionally.

Cultural Perspectives

In some cultures, arrogance is viewed as a negative trait, suggesting a failure to recognize or respect the contributions of others.
Conversely, in competitive environments, a certain level of assertiveness or confidence might be mistaken for arrogance, blurring the lines between the two.
The reception of arrogance can vary; in some leadership styles, boldness may be encouraged, while in others, humility is deeply valued.

Literature

Arrogant characters often serve as antagonists in literature, showcasing the dangers of excessive pride and self-importance.
In Shakespeare's works, characters like Malvolio in 'Twelfth Night' illustrate the folly of arrogance when their inflated sense of self leads to downfall.
Classic poems often reflect on arrogance, like John Milton’s 'Paradise Lost', where pride is depicted as the root of evil.

Pop Culture

Many contemporary films feature arrogant characters, often through the trope of the 'spoiled rich kid' or overconfident leader who learns humility.
Reality television often amplifies arrogance, with certain contestants using brash behavior to gain attention and screen time.
Notable public figures have faced backlash for perceived arrogance, highlighting how public reception can shift dramatically with a single action.

Translations

Translations of the word "arrogant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arrogante

🇮🇳 अहंकारी

🇩🇪 arrogant

🇮🇩 sombong

🇺🇦 зарозумілий

🇵🇱 arogancki

🇯🇵 傲慢な (ごうまんな)

🇫🇷 arrogant

🇪🇸 arrogante

🇹🇷 kibirli

🇰🇷 거만한 (geomanhan)

🇸🇦 متعجرف

🇨🇿 arogantní

🇸🇰 arogantný

🇨🇳 傲慢的 (àomàn de)

🇸🇮 aroganten

🇮🇸 hrokafullur

🇰🇿 менмен

🇬🇪 ამპარტავანი

🇦🇿 təkəbbürlü

🇲🇽 arrogante

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,917, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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