proud
8 synonyms and 6 antonyms for proud, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Feeling pleased and satisfied about something one has done or achieved.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use proud
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English prūd, likely from Old French prod, prud ("brave, worthy"), from Late Latin prōde, "useful" — ultimately tied to the same root as "pride."
Full origin of proud →Frequently asked questions
What does “proud” mean?
The word “proud” means feeling pleased and satisfied about something one has done or achieved. In plain terms, feeling good satisfaction about an achievement, or (less positively) thinking too highly of yourself.
How do you pronounce “proud”?
“Proud” is pronounced PROWD (/ˈpɹaʊ̯d/ in IPA).
How do you use “proud” in a sentence?
Here is “proud” used in a sentence: “She was proud of finishing the marathon.”
What is another word for “proud”?
Words with a similar meaning to “proud” include vain and conceited.
What is the opposite of “proud”?
The opposite of “proud” — its antonyms — are ashamed, humiliated, embarrassed, humble and meek.
What part of speech is “proud”?
“Proud” is an adjective.
Where does the word “proud” come from?
The word “proud” comes from Late Latin. From Old English prūd, likely from Old French prod, prud ("brave, worthy"), from Late Latin prōde, "useful" — ultimately tied to the same root as "pride.".
Is “proud” a common word?
“Proud” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between proud and arrogant?
Being proud means feeling pleased and satisfied about something you or someone close to you has achieved — a healthy, positive feeling. Being arrogant means having an exaggerated sense of your own importance and looking down on others. Pride becomes a fault only when it tips into that kind of conceit and superiority.
Is 'proud' a positive or negative word?
It can be both. When it describes satisfaction in a genuine achievement — your own or a loved one's — it is warmly positive. But 'proud' can also mean having too high an opinion of yourself, as in 'too proud to apologise.' The tone depends entirely on context and on what the pride is directed at.
What is the opposite of proud?
It has two opposites, depending on the sense. For the feeling of satisfaction, the opposite is 'ashamed' or 'embarrassed' — feeling bad rather than pleased about something. For the negative sense of being self-important, the opposite is 'humble' or 'modest.' Which one applies depends on which meaning of 'proud' you have in mind.