Haughty
/ˈhɔːti/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Haughty means showing that you feel you are more important, smarter, or better than other people. It often means acting proud in a way that others see as unfriendly or disrespectful. People who are haughty may look down on others or ignore them.
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See It in Action
Showing proud and unfriendly behavior toward others
- •The haughty woman ignored everyone at the party.
- •His haughty attitude made it hard for people to like him.
- •She spoke in a haughty tone that made others feel small.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "haughty" like "proud," but much stronger and less friendly—it is pride that makes someone act like they are better than everyone else
- ✓Picture a person with their nose up in the air, looking down at others as if they are not good enough
- ✓It's the feeling when someone ignores you or talks to you as if you are not important
- ✓Sounds like "HAW-tee" → imagine a tall bird (hawk) looking down from a high place, feeling very proud and distant
- ✓Think of a queen or king in a story who acts like they are above all the people around them
- ✓NOT like "proud" (which can be positive and humble), "haughty" is pride with rudeness and distance
- ✓NOT like "friendly" or "kind," haughty people do not show warmth or respect to others
Try Other Words
- •Arrogant: thinking you are better than others (Use when the pride is more about confidence and ignoring others’ opinions)
- •Snobbish: acting like only certain people are good enough (Use when someone looks down on others because of social class or style)
- •Conceited: having too high an opinion of yourself (Use when the pride is about your own abilities or looks)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (not clearly separable into prefix/root/suffix; the word is borrowed as a whole)
- •Etymology: From Old French "haut" meaning "high," used to describe someone who acts "high" or above others
- •Historical development: Used since the 1400s in English to describe proud, superior behavior
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe people who act proud in a negative, unfriendly way
Reflect & Connect
•How can being haughty affect relationships with friends or coworkers?
•Can someone be proud without being haughty? What is the difference in behavior?
Fill in the blanks
1.The haughty man looked down on others because he believed he was ___ smarter and richer.
2.When she spoke in a haughty voice, people felt ___ and unimportant.
3.Unlike a friendly smile, a haughty expression shows ___ and distance.
4.He acted haughty ___ when he ignored the new students at school.
5.People often avoid haughty individuals because their attitude makes others feel ___.
6.A person can be proud without being haughty if they show ___ to others.
7.The queen’s haughty behavior made her subjects feel like they were ___ to her.