adj

haughty

HAW-tee

adj

Acting as if one is better than others; arrogantly proud and disdainful.

"The waiter gave a haughty sniff when we asked for ketchup."

"Her haughty manner made it hard to warm to her."

How to Use Haughty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLooking down on other people; snobbish and proud.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "haughty" and "hoity-toity," which mean almost the same thing and are often used together for emphasis.

Common pairings

haughty manner haughty look haughty disdain

haughtier comparative, haughtiest superlative

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The waiter gave a _____ sniff when we asked for ketchup.

From Old French haut, meaning "high," the same root that gives English "altitude" — the spelling shifted over time to look more like "naughty."

naughty