adjective
supercilious
soo-per-SIL-ee-uhs
Supercilious (adjective) means behaving as though other people are inferior, in a haughty and dismissive way. Example: “The shop assistant gave us a supercilious look when we asked for a discount.”
adjective
1
formal Behaving as though other people are inferior, in a haughty and dismissive way.
"The shop assistant gave us a supercilious look when we asked for a discount."
"His supercilious tone made the new starter feel unwelcome."
"She raised a supercilious eyebrow at the suggestion."
How to use supercilious
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes someone who acts as if they're better than everyone else.
When to use it
A formal, rather literary word used to criticise someone's manner.
Memory tip
It always describes a person's attitude or expression, never an object or event.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
supercilious smile
supercilious tone
supercilious manner
supercilious look
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The shop assistant gave us a _____ look when we asked for a discount.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from the Latin word superciliosus, meaning haughty.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for supercilious
See all rhymes for supercilious →Frequently asked questions
What does supercilious mean?
It describes someone who acts arrogantly superior and treats others with contemptuous indifference.
Is supercilious a compliment or an insult?
It is an insult. It criticises someone for being haughty and looking down on other people.
How do you use supercilious in a sentence?
You can use it to describe a person's expression, tone or manner, as in 'he gave a supercilious smile'.
What is the meaning of supercilious?
"supercilious" (adjective) means behaving as though other people are inferior, in a haughty and dismissive way.
