noun
Uncommon
arrogance
AR-uh-guhns
Arrogance (noun) means an excessive sense of one's own importance, often shown through disrespect for others. Example: “His arrogance made it hard for the team to trust his decisions.”
noun
1
An excessive sense of one's own importance, often shown through disrespect for others.
"His arrogance made it hard for the team to trust his decisions."
"She spoke with a quiet arrogance that put people off."
How to use arrogance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThinking far too highly of yourself, and letting it show.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sheer arrogance
breathtaking arrogance
arrogance and pride
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Word forms
- Plural
- arrogances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His _____ made it hard for the team to trust his decisions.
Etymology
From Latin arrogantia, from arrogare, "to claim for oneself" — the same root as arrogant.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for arrogance
See all rhymes for arrogance →Frequently asked questions
What does “arrogance” mean?
The word “arrogance” means an excessive sense of one's own importance, often shown through disrespect for others. In plain terms, thinking far too highly of yourself, and letting it show.
How do you pronounce “arrogance”?
“Arrogance” is pronounced AR-uh-guhns (/ˈæɹ.ə.ɡəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “arrogance” in a sentence?
Here is “arrogance” used in a sentence: “His arrogance made it hard for the team to trust his decisions.”
What is the opposite of “arrogance”?
The opposite of “arrogance” — its antonyms — are humility, modesty, passivity and servility.
What part of speech is “arrogance”?
“Arrogance” is a noun.
Where does the word “arrogance” come from?
The word “arrogance” comes from Latin. From Latin arrogantia, from arrogare, "to claim for oneself" — the same root as arrogant.
Is “arrogance” a common word?
“Arrogance” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?
Confidence is a healthy belief in one's own abilities, while arrogance is an excessive, often unpleasant sense of self-importance that shows disrespect for others. Confident people can acknowledge others' strengths, whereas arrogance tends to dismiss or belittle them.
What is the difference between arrogance and pride?
Pride can be a positive feeling of satisfaction in one's own or others' achievements, while arrogance specifically involves an inflated sense of importance paired with disregard for other people. Arrogance is generally viewed as a negative trait, whereas pride is not always so.
Is arrogance always seen as a negative trait?
Yes, arrogance is consistently viewed negatively because it involves an excessive sense of importance often expressed through disrespect toward others. It is rarely, if ever, used as a compliment.
