Vainglorious: meaning, definitions and examples

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vainglorious

 

[ veɪnˈɡlɔːriəs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

used to describe a person

Excessively proud of oneself or one's achievements; overly vain and boastful.

Synonyms

arrogant, boastful, conceited, egotistical, pompous.

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Word Description / Examples
vainglorious

This word is used to describe someone who is excessively proud of themselves, often in a way that is seen as vain and boastful. It usually has a negative connotation.

  • His vainglorious attitude made it difficult for others to work with him.
conceited

Describes someone who has an excessively high opinion of themselves. It suggests vanity and self-importance, and is typically negative.

  • He was so conceited that he couldn’t understand why others didn’t admire him.
egotistical

Indicates an excessive sense of self-importance and a focus on oneself, often to the exclusion of others. It has a negative tone.

  • Her egotistical manner made it hard for her to build meaningful relationships.
pompous

This word describes someone who behaves in a ceremoniously grand or self-important way. It has a strong negative connotation, often implying pretentiousness.

  • The politician's pompous speech alienated many of the voters.
boastful

Refers to someone who talks with excessive pride about their achievements, possessions, or abilities. It can be seen negatively, though not as harshly as 'arrogant' or 'vainglorious'.

  • She was boastful about her grades, which annoyed her classmates.
arrogant

Used to depict someone who thinks they are better than others and often looks down on people. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • The scientist was so arrogant that he dismissed everyone else's ideas without listening.

Examples of usage

  • He was a vainglorious man who loved to talk about his own accomplishments.
  • She couldn't stand his vainglorious attitude and constant bragging.
  • The vainglorious actor believed he was the best in the industry.
  • His vainglorious behavior alienated him from his colleagues.
  • Despite his vainglorious nature, he was actually quite insecure.

Translations

Translations of the word "vainglorious" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vaidoso

🇮🇳 अभिमानी

🇩🇪 eitel

🇮🇩 sombong

🇺🇦 марнославний

🇵🇱 próżny

🇯🇵 虚栄心の強い

🇫🇷 vaniteux

🇪🇸 vanidoso

🇹🇷 kendini beğenmiş

🇰🇷 자만심이 강한

🇸🇦 مغرور

🇨🇿 ješitný

🇸🇰 namyslený

🇨🇳 自负的

🇸🇮 domišljav

🇮🇸 hégómlegur

🇰🇿 менмен

🇬🇪 ამაყი

🇦🇿 lovğa

🇲🇽 vanidoso

Etymology

The word 'vainglorious' has its origins in the late 16th century, derived from the combination of 'vain' (excessively proud of one's own appearance, abilities, achievements, etc.) and 'glorious' (having, worthy of, or bringing fame or admiration). The term was often used in literature and poetry to describe characters who displayed excessive pride and boastfulness. Over time, 'vainglorious' has become a common adjective to criticize individuals who exhibit an inflated sense of self-importance and a tendency to brag about their accomplishments.

See also: glorification, glorious.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,417 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.