[proud] adj [ME, fr. OE prud, prob. fr. OF prod, prud, prou capable, good, valiant, fr. LL prode advantage, advantageous, back-formation fr. L prodesse to be advantageous, fr. pro-, prod- for, in favor + esse to be--more at pro-, is] (bef. 12c) 1: feeling or showing pride: as a: having or displaying excessive self-esteem b: much pleased: exultant c: having proper self-respect
2. a: marked by stateliness: magnificent b: giving reason for pride: glorious "the ~est moment in her life"
3: vigorous, spirited "a ~ steed"
4. chiefly Brit: raised above a surrounding area "a ~ design on a stamp" -- proud.ly adv syn proud, arrogant, haughty, lordly, insolent, overbearing, supercilious, disdainful mean showing scorn for inferiors. proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness "too proud to take charity". arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted "a conceited and arrogant executive". haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position "a haughty aristocrat". lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power "a lordly condescension". insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness "ignored by an insolent waiter". overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence "an overbearing supervisor". supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness "an aloof and supercilious manner". disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness "disdainful of their social inferiors".