Pompousness: meaning, definitions and examples

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pompousness

[ˈpɒmpəsnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

behavior

The quality of being excessively self-important or arrogant, characterized by an exaggerated sense of one's importance or abilities.

Synonyms

arrogance, haughtiness, pretentiousness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pompousness	Use 'pompousness' when describing someone who has an inflated sense of their importance and often speaks and behaves in a self-important way. His pompousness made it difficult for anyone to take him seriously Her speech was filled with such pompousness that people started to feel uncomfortable
arrogance	Use 'arrogance' to describe a person who believes they are better or more important than others and often treats others with disdain. His arrogance was evident in the way he dismissed everyone's opinions She spoke with such arrogance that it put people off
haughtiness	Use 'haughtiness' for describing someone who behaves in a superior, disdainful way, often looking down on others. Her haughtiness was clear from the disdainful look she gave everyone He walked into the room with an air of haughtiness that alienated him from others
pretentiousness	Use 'pretentiousness' when referring to someone who tries to impress others by pretending to be more important or knowledgeable than they really are. Her pretentiousness was evident when she kept using big words incorrectly The pretentiousness of his mannerisms annoyed everyone at the party

Examples of usage

He displayed his pompousness by constantly boasting about his achievements.
Her pompousness made it difficult for others to approach her.
Don't mistake confidence for pompousness.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

language

The use of language that is overly formal, showy, or grandiose, often with the intention of impressing others.

Synonyms

grandiloquence, ostentation, verbosity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pompousness	Used to describe someone who acts self-important or arrogant, often in a manner that is annoying or disrespectful. His pompousness made it hard to have a conversation with him. She couldn't stand his pompousness any longer and left the party.
grandiloquence	Often refers to speech that is lofty, extravagant, or pretentious, used to impress others but can come off as insincere or overblown. The politician's grandiloquence did little to win over the skeptical audience. Her grandiloquence in the meeting seemed inappropriate for such a small issue.
ostentation	Describes behavior or actions intended to attract notice and impress others, often through display of wealth or luxury. His ostentation was evident from the flashy car he drove. She wore an expensive dress just for the sake of ostentation.
verbosity	Used to describe speech or writing that uses more words than necessary, often making it tedious or difficult to follow. The professor's verbosity made the lecture hard to follow. She edited the letter to reduce its verbosity.

Examples of usage

His pompousness in speech alienated many of his listeners.
The writer's pompousness in language overshadowed the message of the text.
Her pompousness in vocabulary made her writing difficult to understand.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'pomposus', which means 'full of pomp', referring to grand displays.
The suffix '-ness' is added to adjectives to form nouns indicating a state or quality, like 'kindness'.

Psychology

Overconfidence can lead to social isolation, as others may find pompous behavior off-putting.
People exhibiting this trait might struggle with self-awareness, often not realizing how their behavior affects others.

Literature

Many characters in classic literature, like in Jane Austen's works, showcase pompousness, often used to critique societal norms.
In Shakespeare's plays, pompous characters usually serve as comic relief, highlighting flaws in human nature.

Pop Culture

Pompousness is often parodied in movies and TV shows, with characters who brag while failing to back it up with substance.
Reality TV has popularized this trait, showcasing individuals who display grandeur despite lacking real accomplishments.

Sociology

In social contexts, those who exhibit pompousness may try to assert dominance, often using jargon or complex language to impress.
This behavior can sometimes mask insecurity, as individuals attempt to compensate for feelings of inadequacy.

Translations

Translations of the word "pompousness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pomposidade

🇮🇳 गर्वीला होना

🇩🇪 Pompösität

🇮🇩 keangkuhan

🇺🇦 помпезність

🇵🇱 pompatyczność

🇯🇵 誇張

🇫🇷 pomposité

🇪🇸 pomposidad

🇹🇷 gösteriş

🇰🇷 거만함

🇸🇦 تكلف

🇨🇿 pompéznost

🇸🇰 pompéznosť

🇨🇳 浮夸

🇸🇮 pomp

🇮🇸 dramb

🇰🇿 әсемдік

🇬🇪 პომპეზურობა

🇦🇿 təntənəlilik

🇲🇽 pomposidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,807, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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40804 cannoned
40805 hydrogenate
40806 glop
40807 pompousness
40808 sidewinder
40809 hoaxing
40810 caparison
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