Pompous
adjective
Acting too important or more formal than necessary, in an attempt to impress others.
He gave a pompous speech at the meeting.
Often appears as...
- pompous attitude
- pompous speech
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Having or showing self-importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved.
Despite his success, he never became pompous.
Often appears as...
- pompous jerk
- pompous idiot
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Acting too important or more formal than necessary, in an attempt to impress others.
He gave a pompous speech at the meeting.
Often appears as...
- pompous attitude
- pompous speech
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Having or showing self-importance, especially when exaggerated or undeserved.
Despite his success, he never became pompous.
Often appears as...
- pompous jerk
- pompous idiot
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
Using 'pompous' can express disapproval and insult someone's behavior or speech.
His pompous remarks made everyone roll their eyes.
Pro Tip 2/3Unearned Importance
'Pompous' implies the importance a person expresses is not deserved.
She came across as pompous, talking as though she knew everything.
Pro Tip 3/3Over-Formality
'Pompous' suggests using a level of formality that's excessive for the situation.
His pompous tone didn't fit the casual gathering.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
Using 'pompous' can express disapproval and insult someone's behavior or speech.
His pompous remarks made everyone roll their eyes.
Pro Tip 2/3Unearned Importance
'Pompous' implies the importance a person expresses is not deserved.
She came across as pompous, talking as though she knew everything.
Pro Tip 3/3Over-Formality
'Pompous' suggests using a level of formality that's excessive for the situation.
His pompous tone didn't fit the casual gathering.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Tone
Using 'pompous' can express disapproval and insult someone's behavior or speech.
His pompous remarks made everyone roll their eyes.
Pro Tip 2/3Unearned Importance
'Pompous' implies the importance a person expresses is not deserved.
She came across as pompous, talking as though she knew everything.
Pro Tip 3/3Over-Formality
'Pompous' suggests using a level of formality that's excessive for the situation.
His pompous tone didn't fit the casual gathering.
Compare with
arrogantconceitegotisticallyhaughtypretentiousself-importantsnobbishsuperior
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Video examples
Jackson Katz: Violence...
Now, I know it's a bit pompous, my response, but it's an important distinction, because I don't believe that what we need is sensitivity training. We need leadership training, because, for example, when a professional coach or a manager of a baseball team or a football team -- and I work extensively in that realm as well -- makes a sexist comment, makes a homophobic statement,
Video examples
Beware of nominalizations...
then we add a human subject and some active verbs, the sentence springs back to life. "Writers who overload their sentences with nominalizations tend to sound pompous and abstract." Only one zombie noun -- the key word "nominalizations" --
Video examples
Jackson Katz: Violence...
Now, I know it's a bit pompous, my response, but it's an important distinction, because I don't believe that what we need is sensitivity training. We need leadership training, because, for example, when a professional coach or a manager of a baseball team or a football team -- and I work extensively in that realm as well -- makes a sexist comment, makes a homophobic statement,
Video examples
Beware of nominalizations...
then we add a human subject and some active verbs, the sentence springs back to life. "Writers who overload their sentences with nominalizations tend to sound pompous and abstract." Only one zombie noun -- the key word "nominalizations" --
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Richard Attenborough
English Actor
I very, very, very rarely lose my temper. I do get cross sometimes when encountering something that I feel is improper, that I feel is lacking in justice and equity, and this all sounds very pompous and over the top - but these are the things that really upset me: intolerance, prejudice etc. I suppose in more mundane matters, I'm impatient.
Quote examples
Goldie Hawn
American Actress
I wrote the book because I wanted to be able to share some things that I had learned and as pompous as that may sound, as you get to a certain point in life, you figure so what am I doing?
Quote examples
Jean Pigozzi
French Businessman
For me to be pompous is the most horrible thing in the world. It's like putting a wall around you. It screws you up. You'd better be willing to change your views or adapt and be modern.
Quote examples
Marcus Brigstocke
English Comedian
I'm more pompous and self-assured and determined that if - you know - if the truth can be told so as to be understood, it will be believed.
Quote examples
Shelley Duvall
American Actress
Take events in your life seriously, take work seriously, but don't take yourself seriously, or you'll become affected, pompous and boring.
Quote examples
Jeremy Scott
American Designer
Posterity is something I'm a big fan of because that's how you leave your legacy. Not to sound pompous, but just to be truthful.
Quote examples
Kevin Kline
American Actor
Some of my favorite characters that I've played have been very pompous because I love making fun of pompous people.
Quote examples
Barbara Stanwyck
American Actress
Career is too pompous a word. It was a job, and I have always felt privileged to be paid for what I love doing.
Quote examples
Michael Beschloss
American Historian
Not to be pompous about it - my thing in life is to write history and not to chat on TV 24 hours a day.
Quote examples
Martin Freeman
English Actor
Humour is - how do I say this without sounding pompous - it's a huge part of my life.
Quote examples
Richard Attenborough
English Actor
I very, very, very rarely lose my temper. I do get cross sometimes when encountering something that I feel is improper, that I feel is lacking in justice and equity, and this all sounds very pompous and over the top - but these are the things that really upset me: intolerance, prejudice etc. I suppose in more mundane matters, I'm impatient.
Quote examples
Goldie Hawn
American Actress
I wrote the book because I wanted to be able to share some things that I had learned and as pompous as that may sound, as you get to a certain point in life, you figure so what am I doing?
Quote examples
Jean Pigozzi
French Businessman
For me to be pompous is the most horrible thing in the world. It's like putting a wall around you. It screws you up. You'd better be willing to change your views or adapt and be modern.
Quote examples
Marcus Brigstocke
English Comedian
I'm more pompous and self-assured and determined that if - you know - if the truth can be told so as to be understood, it will be believed.
Quote examples
Shelley Duvall
American Actress
Take events in your life seriously, take work seriously, but don't take yourself seriously, or you'll become affected, pompous and boring.
Quote examples
Jeremy Scott
American Designer
Posterity is something I'm a big fan of because that's how you leave your legacy. Not to sound pompous, but just to be truthful.
Quote examples
Kevin Kline
American Actor
Some of my favorite characters that I've played have been very pompous because I love making fun of pompous people.
Quote examples
Barbara Stanwyck
American Actress
Career is too pompous a word. It was a job, and I have always felt privileged to be paid for what I love doing.
Quote examples
Michael Beschloss
American Historian
Not to be pompous about it - my thing in life is to write history and not to chat on TV 24 hours a day.
Quote examples
Martin Freeman
English Actor
Humour is - how do I say this without sounding pompous - it's a huge part of my life.
Example 1 of 10
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