arrogant
Having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities, often accompanied by a lack of respect for others. It describes someone who acts superior and dismisses the opinions or feelings of those they deem beneath them.
Examples
3 of 5I found him a bit arrogant when he kept interrupting everyone at the party.
I found him a bit arrogant when he kept interrupting everyone at the party.
The committee criticized the CEO's arrogant dismissal of environmental concerns.
The committee criticized the CEO's arrogant dismissal of environmental concerns.
Stop being so arrogant; you aren't the only one who knows how to fix a car.
Stop being so arrogant; you aren't the only one who knows how to fix a car.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Arrogant' person as someone who thinks they are like an 'Arrow'—always pointing upward and looking down on everyone else.
Quick Quiz
Despite his brilliance, his ______ behavior made him very unpopular among his colleagues.
Correct!
The correct answer is: arrogant
Examples
I found him a bit arrogant when he kept interrupting everyone at the party.
everydayI found him a bit arrogant when he kept interrupting everyone at the party.
The committee criticized the CEO's arrogant dismissal of environmental concerns.
formalThe committee criticized the CEO's arrogant dismissal of environmental concerns.
Stop being so arrogant; you aren't the only one who knows how to fix a car.
informalStop being so arrogant; you aren't the only one who knows how to fix a car.
Historians argue that such an arrogant foreign policy eventually led to the empire's isolation.
academicHistorians argue that such an arrogant foreign policy eventually led to the empire's isolation.
His arrogant stance during the negotiation made it impossible to reach a consensus.
businessHis arrogant stance during the negotiation made it impossible to reach a consensus.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
arrogant as a peacock
arrogant as a peacock
blinded by arrogance
blinded by arrogance
an arrogant streak
an arrogant streak
Often Confused With
Confidence is a positive belief in one's abilities, whereas arrogance involves a sense of superiority and looking down on others.
Pride can be a positive feeling of satisfaction in an achievement, while arrogance is always seen as a negative character flaw.
Usage Notes
The word is almost always used pejoratively to describe someone's personality or behavior. It is often paired with verbs like 'to be', 'to seem', or 'to become'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the adjective 'arrogant' with the noun 'arrogance', saying things like 'He has a lot of arrogant' instead of 'He has a lot of arrogance'.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Arrogant' person as someone who thinks they are like an 'Arrow'—always pointing upward and looking down on everyone else.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'arrogantem', meaning 'claiming for oneself,' from 'ad-' (to) and 'rogare' (to ask).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many Western cultures, arrogance is viewed as a significant social flaw, sharply contrasted with the valued trait of humility.
Quick Quiz
Despite his brilliance, his ______ behavior made him very unpopular among his colleagues.
Correct!
The correct answer is: arrogant
Related Grammar Rules
Related Words
proceed
C1The noun form, typically used in the plural 'proceeds,' refers to the total amount of money received from a particular event, sale, or activity. It is a formal term used in academic, legal, and business contexts to describe the result of a financial transaction or fundraising effort.
individual
C1Relating to a single person or thing as distinct from a group. It describes something that is intended for, or used by, one person rather than a collective entity.
appropriately
B2To perform an action in a manner that is suitable, right, or proper for a particular situation, person, or occasion. It implies following specific social norms, professional standards, or logical requirements.
region
B2A region is an area of land that has common features, such as geography, climate, or culture, which distinguish it from other areas. It can refer to a large part of a country or the world and is often used in administrative or scientific contexts to organize space.
resource
B2A stock or supply of money, materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. In academic and informational contexts, it refers to a source of information or expertise used to support research or learning.
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
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