proud

proud — adjective

1. experiencing a warm sense of achievement because you or someone connected with y

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

experiencing a warm sense of achievement because you or someone connected with you has done something well or earned something good.

Example

Aarav felt very proud when his team won the school science competition.

be proud when [event happens]

Ada was proud of the painting she had spent three months finishing.

proud of + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • proud of
  • proud to
  • proud that
  • extremely proud
  • very proud
  • immensely proud
  • proud moment
  • proud achievement
  • proud parent
  • proud owner
Synonyms
  • pleased

    milder than proud; suggests satisfaction without the same sense of personal achievement

  • satisfied

    focuses on a feeling of contentment rather than emotional pride

  • delighted

    emphasizes strong happiness, often about an unexpected success

Antonyms
  • ashamed

    the direct opposite emotion to pride

  • embarrassed

    focuses on discomfort rather than moral failure

Grammar Patterns

be proud of [someone/something]

be proud to [infinitive]

be proud that [clause]

Usage Note

Commonly used in the pattern 'proud of + noun/gerund' to link the feeling to a specific achievement or possession. The that-clause pattern is more common in formal writing than in everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

I am proud for my son.
I am proud of my son.
the preposition is always 'of', not 'for'.
She was proud from winning the race.
She was proud of winning the race.
use 'of' not 'from' after proud.

2. having a strong sense of your own worth, which stops you from behaving in a way

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

having a strong sense of your own worth, which stops you from behaving in a way that others might think is weak or wrong.

Example

Antonia was too proud to ask her parents for money when she had little left.

too proud to + infinitive (refusing to lower dignity)

The old fisherman was a proud man who would never accept charity from anyone.

proud as an attributive adjective describing character

Common collocations
  • too proud to
  • proud man/woman
  • proud people
  • proud spirit
  • fiercely proud
  • proud and independent
Synonyms
  • dignified

    emphasizes calm, controlled self-respect in behaviour

  • self-respecting

    directly describes someone who values their own worth

Antonyms
  • humble

    describes someone who does not insist on their own importance or dignity

Grammar Patterns

too proud to [infinitive]

proud + noun (attributive)

Usage Note

Frequently appears in the pattern 'too proud to + infinitive', which describes someone who refuses to do something because it would damage their dignity. This sense is different from sense 1 (PLEASED WITH ACHIEVEMENT) because it does not require any specific achievement — it is about a person's general attitude toward their own worth.

Common Mistakes

He was too proud for ask for help.
He was too proud to ask for help.
'too [adjective] to [verb]' is the correct structure.

3. believing that you are more important, clever, or talented than other people, of

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

believing that you are more important, clever, or talented than other people, often shown through unfriendly or dismissive behaviour.

Example

Vinícius was so proud that he never took advice from anyone on the team.

so proud that (negative consequence)

Talia smiled proudly when younger students asked for help, as if she were above them.

proud smile (negative reading from context)

Common collocations
  • too proud
  • proud and arrogant
  • proud and stubborn
  • proud attitude
  • proud nature
Synonyms
  • arrogant

    the closest direct synonym; openly shows a sense of superiority

  • conceited

    focuses on having an exaggeratedly high opinion of oneself

  • haughty

    suggests cold, unfriendly superiority; more formal

Antonyms
  • humble

    describes someone who does not think they are better than others

  • modest

    describes someone who does not boast about their abilities

Grammar Patterns

be proud + adverb (e.g. 'too proud')

proud + noun

Usage Note

This sense carries a negative or disapproving tone. The context of the sentence (e.g. refusal, dismissive behaviour) usually signals the negative meaning, since the same words ('proud smile', 'proud man') can be positive in sense 1 or 2. Look for clues like refusing help, looking down on others, or an unsympathetic context.

Common Mistakes

She was too proud to talk to us.' — This could mean sense 2 (self-respect) or sense 3 (arrogance).
Add context: 'She was too proud to talk to us because she thought we were beneath her.
the reason clarifies the negative meaning.

4. rising slightly above the surface or edge that surrounds it, so that part of the

4.adjectiveC1
Definition

rising slightly above the surface or edge that surrounds it, so that part of the object can be seen or felt.

Example

Eitan noticed a nail standing proud of the floor that could hurt someone's foot.

stand proud of [surface] — technical collocation

The screws were so tight that the heads did not sit proud of the metal sheet.

Common collocations
  • stand proud of
  • sit proud of
  • proud nail
  • proud edge
  • proud surface
Synonyms
  • protruding

    the most common general synonym; used across many contexts

  • projecting

    slightly more formal than protruding

  • raised

    simpler word but less specific about the degree of elevation

Antonyms
  • flush

    describes something level with the surrounding surface, not sticking out

  • recessed

    describes something set back from the surface

Grammar Patterns

proud + noun

stand proud of [something]

Usage Note

This sense is largely used in technical or craft contexts (carpentry, engineering, metalwork) and often pairs with the verb 'stand' — 'stand proud of [something]'. It is much less common in everyday conversation than senses 1–3.

Common Mistakes

The nail was proud from the wood.
The nail stood proud of the wood.
the correct preposition is 'of', and the verb 'stand' is the most common collocation.

5. describing an event, achievement, or moment that makes you feel happy and satisf

5.adjectiveB2
Definition

describing an event, achievement, or moment that makes you feel happy and satisfied because it is important or successful.

Example

Graduation day was a proud moment for every student who had worked so hard.

proud moment — common collocation for life events

The school celebrated a proud achievement when ten students won national awards.

proud achievement — collocation with accomplishment

Common collocations
  • proud moment
  • proud day
  • proud achievement
  • proud occasion
  • proud history
  • proud record
  • proud tradition
  • proudest moment
Synonyms
  • glorious

    more intense and dramatic; suggests great honour and splendour

  • memorable

    focuses on being worth remembering, not necessarily with pride

Antonyms
  • shameful

    describes something that causes feelings of shame rather than pride

Grammar Patterns

proud + noun (day / moment / achievement / occasion)

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used before a noun (attributive), not after a verb like 'be'. You say 'a proud day', not 'the day was proud'. This distinguishes it from sense 1, where 'proud' describes a person's feeling. Compare: 'I am proud of my achievement' (sense 1) vs 'It was a proud achievement' (sense 5).

Common Mistakes

The moment was proud.
It was a proud moment.
when describing an event as worthy of pride, 'proud' must come before the noun.

6. large, beautiful, and impressive to look at; having a quality of grandness that

6.adjectiveC1
Definition

large, beautiful, and impressive to look at; having a quality of grandness that commands admiration.

Example

The proud castle stood on the hill, visible from every part of the valley.

proud + building (stately/majestic)

Three proud ships sailed into the harbour with their flags flying in the wind.

Common collocations
  • proud castle
  • proud ship
  • proud building
  • proud tree
  • proud city
  • proud tower
Synonyms
  • magnificent

    the most direct synonym; describes something extremely beautiful and grand

  • imposing

    emphasizes the feeling of being impressed by size or appearance

  • grand

    simpler word; suggests impressive scale or style

Antonyms
  • humble

    describes something small, simple, or unimpressive in appearance

Grammar Patterns

proud + noun (building / ship / tree / city)

Usage Note

This is a formal or literary sense, most often found in descriptions of architecture, nature, or ships. It is rarely used in everyday conversation. The noun it describes is typically something large and stationary (buildings, trees, mountains) or grand in movement (ships, armies).

Common Mistakes

My new phone looks proud.
The proud castle stood on the hill.
this sense only works with grand, impressive objects like buildings, ships, or large trees, not everyday items.
Idioms

do someone proud

idiom

to treat someone extremely well, especially by providing a generous meal, warm hospitality, or impressive service.

The Watanabe family did us proud with a ten-course dinner and live music at their home.

The hotel staff did the guests proud, offering fresh towels and fruit every morning.

do yourself proud

idiom

to achieve something that makes you feel a strong sense of satisfaction and self-respect, typically by doing a task very well.

Sayaka did herself proud by finishing the marathon in under four hours.

The young chef did herself proud when her dish won first prize at the food fair.

as proud as a peacock

idiom

extremely proud of yourself or your appearance, often in a way that shows too much self-satisfaction.

Eitan walked around the office as proud as a peacock after his promotion was announced.

The little boy showed off his new bicycle, as proud as a peacock in the park.

proud of

idiom

feeling pleasure and satisfaction because of something you or someone close to you has done, achieved, or possesses.

Benjamin is proud of his sister for completing her nursing degree while raising two children.

The villagers were proud of their ancient temple, which had stood for over a thousand years.

(as) proud/pleased as Punch

idiom

Feeling very pleased or satisfied about something you have done or achieved.

Maya was as proud as Punch after winning the science fair.

Diego felt as pleased as Punch when his team won the championship.

Word family

  • pride
    nounB1
  • proudly
    adverbB1
  • proudness
    nounC1
  • prideful
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe positive reactions to something good, but they differ in intensity and focus. 'Proud' is the strongest of the group — it ties happiness to a sense of personal achievement or identity, so you feel proud of something that reflects who you are or what you have done. 'Pleased' is milder and more general; you can be pleased by a compliment, a sunny day, or a job well done — it does not require a deep personal connection. 'Satisfied' focuses on a feeling of contentment after a need or goal has been met, like feeling satisfied after finishing a difficult task or eating a good meal. 'Delighted' is about sudden, lively happiness, often in response to an unexpected positive event. For example: 'The teacher was delighted when her quietest student gave the correct answer.' (sudden joy), but 'She was proud that he had worked so hard to improve.' (achievement-linked). 'Pleased' would fit between them: 'She was pleased with his progress.'

proud ↗pleased ↗satisfied ↗delighted ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • proud of
  • proud to
  • proud that
  • too proud to
  • stand proud of

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchLatinOld EnglishEnglish

The word 'proud' comes from the Old English 'prūd' or 'prūt', which meant 'arrogant' or 'haughty'. It was borrowed from Old French 'prud', meaning 'valiant' or 'brave', which itself came from the Latin 'prōdesse' ('to be of value'). Over time, the negative meaning of excessive self-esteem weakened, and by the Middle English period 'proud' had also developed the positive sense of justified self-respect and satisfaction in achievement, which is now the most common meaning.