adj
C2
Proficient
haughty
HAW-tee
Haughty (adj) means acting as if one is better than others; arrogantly proud and disdainful. Example: “The waiter gave a haughty sniff when we asked for ketchup.”
adj
1
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- haughtier
- Superlative
- haughtiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The waiter gave a _____ sniff when we asked for ketchup.
Etymology
From Old French haut, meaning "high," the same root that gives English "altitude" — the spelling shifted over time to look more like "naughty."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for haughty
See all rhymes for haughty →Frequently asked questions
What does “haughty” mean?
The word “haughty” means acting as if one is better than others; arrogantly proud and disdainful. In plain terms, looking down on other people; snobbish and proud.
How do you pronounce “haughty”?
“Haughty” is pronounced HAW-tee (/ˈhɔːti/ in IPA).
How do you use “haughty” in a sentence?
Here is “haughty” used in a sentence: “The waiter gave a haughty sniff when we asked for ketchup.”
What part of speech is “haughty”?
“Haughty” is an adjective.
Where does the word “haughty” come from?
The word “haughty” comes from Old French. From Old French haut, meaning "high," the same root that gives English "altitude" — the spelling shifted over time to look more like "naughty.".
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