proud

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.

“Proud” is pronounced PROWD (/ˈpɹaʊ̯d/ in IPA).

Here is “proud” used in a sentence: “She was proud of finishing the marathon.”

Words with a similar meaning to “proud” include vain and conceited.

The opposite of “proud” — its antonyms — are ashamed, humiliated, embarrassed, humble and meek.

“Proud” is an adjective.

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.".

“Proud” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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.

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.

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.