Snobbish: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿง
Add to dictionary

snobbish

 

[ หˆsnษ’bษชสƒ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

behavior

Behaving in a way that shows a belief in one's superiority over others; condescending or patronizing.

Synonyms

arrogant, haughty, pretentious.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
snobbish

Use when someone looks down on others because they believe they are superior, often due to social status or wealth.

  • She refused to attend the neighborhood barbecue because she found the gatherings too snobbish
arrogant

Use to describe someone who has an exaggerated sense of their own importance, abilities, or value and often dismisses others.

  • His arrogant attitude made it difficult for his colleagues to work with him
haughty

Use when someone behaves in a proud and disdainful manner, often showing contempt for others; very formal.

  • The haughty waiter looked down on the customers who didn't order expensive wines
pretentious

Use when someone claims to have more importance or talent than they actually possess, often to impress others.

  • The pretentious artist was always talking about the masterpieces he'd create, but his paintings were quite ordinary

Examples of usage

  • He was always making snobbish remarks about people who didn't share his taste in music.
  • Don't be so snobbish, everyone has their own unique qualities to offer.
Context #2 | Adjective

appearance

Displaying an attitude of superiority in terms of wealth, taste, or social status.

Synonyms

elitist, snooty, uppity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
snobbish

Often used to describe someone who looks down on others because they believe they are better or more sophisticated. This term usually has a negative connotation.

  • Jessica's snobbish attitude made it difficult for her to make friends at the new school
  • He has a snobbish disregard for people who donโ€™t read classic literature
elitist

Refers to someone who believes that a society or system should be led by an elite, or considers themselves superior due to their social status, education, or intellect. This word can be used in both negative and neutral contexts, depending on the situation.

  • The politician faced criticism for making elitist remarks about the working class
  • Some argue that admission policies at Ivy League schools are elitist
snooty

Describes a person who behaves as if they are superior and tends to scorn or look down on others. It is typically used in informal contexts and carries a somewhat negative meaning.

  • The waiter's snooty attitude made everyone at the table uncomfortable
  • She gave a snooty response when asked about her boutique designer dress
uppity

Used to describe someone who is acting above their social or economic status, often with a sense of entitlement. It has a strongly negative connotation and can imply arrogance.

  • Some of the older members of the community found her progressive ideas and independent nature uppity
  • The new employee was quickly labeled as uppity because he began suggesting changes to the established processes

Examples of usage

  • Her snobbish demeanor made it clear that she only associated with people from a certain social class.
  • The exclusive club had a reputation for its snobbish members who looked down on those they deemed unworthy.

Translations

Translations of the word "snobbish" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น esnobe

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค˜เคฎเค‚เคกเฅ€ (ghamandฤซ)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช snobistisch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ sombong

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฒะตั€ั…ะฝั–ะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ snobistyczny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๆฐ—ๅ–ใฃใŸ (kidotta)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท snob

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ snob

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท snob

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ž˜๋‚œ ์ฒดํ•˜๋Š” (jallan chehaneun)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุบุฑูˆุฑ (maghrur)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ snobskรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ snobskรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅŠฟๅˆฉ (shรฌlรฌ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ snobovski

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ snobbaรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฝะพะฑั‚ั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒœแƒแƒ‘แƒฃแƒ แƒ˜ (snoburi)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ snob

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ snob

Etymology

The word 'snobbish' originated in the early 19th century, derived from the term 'snob' which originally referred to a shoemaker or apprentice. Over time, the term evolved to describe someone who looks down on others perceived as inferior, especially in terms of social status or wealth.

See also: snob, snobbery, snobbishness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #29,571, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.