Proud: meaning, definitions and examples

🦚

Add to dictionary

proud

[praʊd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions.

Synonyms

fulfilled, pleased, satisfied.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
proud	Use 'proud' when you feel a deep sense of achievement, either about your own accomplishments or those of someone you care about. It often has an emotional and positive connotation. She was proud of her son for graduating with honors. He felt proud of the work his team had done.
pleased	'Pleased' is used to express a moderate level of satisfaction and happiness, often in response to a specific event or outcome. It's less intense than 'proud' or 'fulfilled'. She was pleased with the positive feedback on her presentation. He was pleased to see his old friend at the reunion.
satisfied	'Satisfied' indicates that one's expectations or needs have been met. It doesn't necessarily imply deep happiness, but rather a contentment that everything is as it should be. She felt satisfied after completing all her tasks for the day. He was satisfied with the service at the restaurant.
fulfilled	'Fulfilled' describes a feeling of complete satisfaction and happiness, especially in relation to one's life goals or personal dreams. It suggests that one has achieved something very meaningful. After years of hard work, she finally felt fulfilled when she established her own charitable foundation. He felt fulfilled in his role as a teacher, knowing he was making a difference in his students' lives.

Examples of usage

I felt proud of myself for completing the marathon.
She was proud of her daughter's academic success.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

behavior

Having or showing a high or excessively high opinion of oneself; having a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.

Synonyms

arrogant, conceited, haughty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
proud	Use 'proud' when expressing a positive feeling of satisfaction and happiness about an accomplishment, either personal or relating to someone else. I am very proud of my sister for graduating from college. He felt proud after finishing the marathon.
arrogant	Use 'arrogant' when describing someone who has an exaggerated sense of their own importance or abilities, often coming off as disrespectful or overbearing. It has a negative connotation. His arrogant behavior was not well-received by his colleagues. She was dismissed as arrogant for constantly bragging about her achievements.
haughty	Use 'haughty' when referring to someone who is disdainfully proud, acting superior and looking down on others. This word carries a strong negative connotation. The haughty queen refused to speak to the commoners. He gave her a haughty look, as if she were beneath him.
conceited	Use 'conceited' to describe someone who is excessively proud of themselves, especially regarding their appearance or abilities. This term also has a negative nuance. He's so conceited, always looking at himself in the mirror. Her conceited attitude made it hard for others to relate to her.

Examples of usage

He was too proud to ask for help.
She had a proud demeanor that intimidated others.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Old French term 'prou', which means brave or valiant.
It's related to the Latin word 'probdus', which conveys a sense of 'having worth'.
Historically, this word has evolved to not only denote bravery but also self-respect and high self-esteem.

Psychology

Feeling proud can boost self-esteem and motivate individuals to pursue new achievements.
Research shows that pride can have both positive effects, such as increased happiness, and negative effects, such as arrogance if it's unchecked.
There are two types of pride: 'authentic pride' (linked to accomplishments) and 'hubristic pride' (linked to ego).

Literature

Pride is a central theme in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', where the downfall of characters often stems from excessive pride.
'Pride and Prejudice', a famous novel by Jane Austen, explores how pride can both illuminate and obscure personal connections.
In many fairy tales, characters who are overly proud often face consequences, teaching lessons about humility.

Culture

In many cultures, taking pride in one's heritage and community can foster unity and a sense of identity.
The LGBTQ+ community celebrates Pride Month each June, emphasizing acceptance, history, and cultural acknowledgment.
Various cultures have proverbs that highlight the importance of pride balanced with humility, indicating its complex nature.

Education

Educators often encourage pride in students' work to enhance motivation and learning outcomes.
Project-based learning can instill a sense of pride when students see the tangible results of their efforts.
Teaching children about pride can help them understand the importance of self-acceptance and celebrating achievements.

Translations

Translations of the word "proud" in other languages:

🇵🇹 orgulhoso

🇮🇳 गर्वित

🇩🇪 stolz

🇮🇩 bangga

🇺🇦 гордий

🇵🇱 dumny

🇯🇵 誇りに思う

🇫🇷 fier

🇪🇸 orgulloso

🇹🇷 gururlu

🇰🇷 자랑스러운

🇸🇦 فخور

🇨🇿 pyšný

🇸🇰 hrdý

🇨🇳 骄傲

🇸🇮 ponosen

🇮🇸 stoltur

🇰🇿 мақтаншақ

🇬🇪 ამაყი

🇦🇿 qürurlu

🇲🇽 orgulloso

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,245, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3242 differential
3243 requests
3244 networks
3245 proud
3246 slope
3247 strategic
3248 duly
...